The getting of wisdom

Mark

THERE is a missing ingredient in the Prime Minister’s belated response to climate change. Industry spokespeople, too, have embraced their “Getting of Wisdom” and noted economic opportunities for their industries. Lobbyists are falling over each other to be at the table when decisions are made. Even David Llewellyn has seized the day to seek financial support for Tasmanian irrigators.
The Australian community would be well impressed with the Business Council of Australia’s enthusiastic response to a joint government-industry taskforce. All the players will be there. Mining will be represented by the nuclear, minerals and coal industries to maintain the status quo with some research investment. Forestry will be there to play its part in carbon credits. Agriculture will be represented by the National Farmers Federation to ensure water rights remain the same or, at least, are not varied too much.

The PM often points to China and India as dragging the chain on carbon emissions. It is true these countries use dirty power. It is also true it is our coal. It is also true BHP has recently shifted its Blue Steel operation from Wollongong to China. This decision is great for cost-cutting but not so good for environmental standards. In my opinion, this is all part of the trade agreement.

There should be a degree of scepticism towards the companies behind the Business Council of Australia being first in line to save the world. These were the same companies that supported the PM in denial, sought ABARE research under the stewardship of Senator Parer (formally of Queensland Coal and flatmate of John Howard) to discredit the Kyoto protocol and did not question the misinformation peddled by neo conservatives in the media.

The missing ingredient is science. If Australia is to seriously address sustainability on an ongoing basis then it is time to develop a ministry overseeing a joint government and industry scientific division within the CSIRO that caters for a wide variety of disciplines.

It will be ironic if John Howard’s government falls through community fears as it has used the fears of terrorism and refugees to maintain power. There is increasing evidence that parents and grandparents now fear for their descendants.