markbhx

I was watching Sunrise this morning talking about climate change.
Koshi was going on about why do we need to make a deciscion on what to do about climate change when the US and Europe hasn't! Then followed this up with if we decide what to do first we might get it wrong!! Jeez talk about sitting on the fence.

This is the attitude I have seen all over Australia. Everything from the law, to retail, to travel etc.. seems to in some way be held back in oz until some other country does it first. Then if it works there Australia will take it, by which time it's old hat.

I mean if every country took that stance we'd all still be in caves!!

Isn't it about time Australia took it's own initiative and maybe the rest could follow it's example??

WillBlack

"maybe the rest could follow it's example"? Not good enough. If Australia is to lead it must be "the rest will follow it's example".

This would only happen if Australia invents a compelling technology that is superior to that existing. Maybe might happen.

Lord_Farquar

The EU already has a target of reducing Carbon emissions by 20% by 2020.

Also, Europe has had an emissions trading scheme since 2005 (agreed to at Kyoto, which until recently AUstralia refused to ratify). Australia is still talking about it like it is a new concept.

hereandthere

Like when it gave women the vote a few decades before the British did, you mean? Or when it had an aboriginal as Governor of one of its states in the 1970s - I'm yet to see a black or Asian leader of England, Wales or Scotland.

Australia does lag behind on the environment, I will admit, and on top of that it is a heavy polluter per capita, but given the world is warming up now and the AGW thesis has been proved absolute nonsense, I'm not sure where this leaves us.

Lord_Farquar

Not all women though.

Buzzy--Bee

Ratify, don't ratify.... It's just a signature on a piece of paper.

New Zealand was hailed for ratifying at the time that Australia did not, yet it's emissions have gone up by 22% since it ratified, which is more than Australia's.

Buzzy

Lord_Farquar

How much has Australia's emissions gone up in the same time?

hereandthere

Universal adult suffrage in South Australia was 34 years before the same thing in the UK. Over a generation.

Lord_Farquar

How is it 34 years between 1902 and 1928?

Secondly, Aboriginal women could not vote until 1967 (or 1975 depending on your viewpoint.)

aussietobe

I agree with Koshie on this one. It is foolhardy to enact such a risky scheme when China and the United States are doing nothing. It won't make one iota of difference to the global climate, so seriously, what is the point? We should be investing large sums in renewable energy.

aussietobe

Fat lot of good these emission schemes are going. It's a big con that will make some people very wealthy, and make no diference to global warming whatsoever.

hereandthere

From the SA Government - "1894: The Constitution Amendment Bill (to change the Constitution to allow women to vote) is introduced and passed by Parliament. WOMEN GAIN THE VOTE."

There are 34 years in between 1894 and 1928, are there not?

Aboriginal women were not citizens until 1967, and that is an entirely different issue.

aussietobe

Thankyou Buzzy. A bit of common sense in this debate is rare. Unfortunately people think that if you sign Kyoto, or sign an emission trading scheme, the problem will just magically disappear. It's a load of bollocks.

Lord_Farquar

Never said I agreed with them.

hereandthere

Top marks for seeing through the fog. It is an elaborate scam cooked up many years ago to address the very serious tax revenue deficit problem across the world.