People haven’t stopped caring about climate change

barry says:

04:52pm | 13/10/09

We’re just getting bored with the subject

David C says:

05:08pm | 13/10/09

There needs to be some defining of the term “climate sceptic”. I consider myself a sceptic but not of climate change, that would be stupid. Everyone knows the climate has changed, is changing and will change going forward. What I am sceptic of is the end of world hype and alarmism of the Al Gore’s, Greenpeaces and Tim Flannerys of fthe world. People under my definition are happy to spend money developing energy independence and security even though we know its not efficient yet. We accept there will be some issues down the track we just dont buy in to the “Sydney will be under water in a 100 years” scenario
The precautionary principle line of thinking presented here in this article is what got us in to Iraq and will probably lead us down the path of huge spending and a lot of feel good waff.

Let us have meaningful discussion of the realistic expectations of the changes ahead and plan acordingly with more emphasis on adaptation not meaningless “targets” that we never reach anyway. And while we are it we could take some of this money and spend it on some real issues like clean drinking water and sanitation for millions of people, we could actually save some real lives. (imagine what we could really achieve with all the money spent on these talkfests so far)

Chase Stevens says:

05:14pm | 13/10/09

We’re getting bored because no one seems worried so why should we be?

nic says:

05:19pm | 13/10/09

The whole thing smells. Most of the biggest carpetbaggers peddling GW have little or no scientific training in the field at all and/or are busily making money out of it. The climate may well be changing, though there is no evidence that it has changed due to C02 levels. In fact, those on the GW bandwagon, such as NGO’s are really using GW in place of socialism. The times have changed, but the targets (business, consumption, yada yada) haven’t.

Dianne says:

05:34pm | 13/10/09

I am a skeptic of homeopathy, of psychics and the anti-vaccination proponents… I have no idea if the climate is warming up, I do think it is wise to stop polluting as much as possible while living in a sustainable economy… Does that make a climate skeptic? What does that even mean? Is it relevant?

Ben says:

05:44pm | 13/10/09

Nothing is happening.

The climate change hypocracy of people like Al Gore and Kevin Rudd with their monsterous carbon footprints have left the rest of us thinking “well if they don’t care”.

As I have said all along, the rush for the ETS is simply so Rudd can pontificate on the world stage “look what we have done (with our 1.8% emissions)”.............no one cares what Australia thinks…...next.

Wayne H says:

05:45pm | 13/10/09

It’s just a new tax!

Joe says:

05:46pm | 13/10/09

If an asteroid hits earth “we are all totally and utterly screwed. So we should probably deal with it. ” What are we doing about that?

If the earth freezes “we are all totally and utterly screwed. So we should probably deal with it. ” What are we doing about that?

We shouldn’t try and do something to cool the earth just because it would be bad if it gets too hot. If it isn’t going to happen then we don’t need to wreck our economy over it! That is the issue.

“But with action being taken (if you like, read: taxpayers’ money being spent) on climate change” - Its not tax payers who will be coughing up the dosh for the ETS it will be us with an increase on power bills of something like 25 - 50% for example.

90% of people don’t understand the ETS and this is why Rudd and co aren’t releasing any figures or explanation on how their plan will cool the world and who will pay for the attempt.

Rudd wants to rush his plan through as he realises that the public are turning on this issue and soon he will have egg on his face.

Dave C says:

06:34pm | 13/10/09

I agree with Ben and Nic. The greens wonderful plan will F*^k the economy and everyone in it. All to reduce 1.8% of greenhouse gases. China will produce that much in about oh.. 6 months. But Greenies are anti business, essentially watermelons.. Green on the outside Red in the middle

As yes the carbon footprints of the GW campaigners. Al Gores house has 17 bedrooms what is his carbon footprint and he has to travel in his own private jet. Whats wrong with Jetstar economy class while you travel Al… it would reduce the Worlds Carbon emissions.

Finally this from Australian Conservative… Senator Fielding (who was abused from pillar to post cause he dares… question Global Warming)

http://australianconservative.com/main-site/2009/10/steve-fielding-says-the-greens-plan-is-foolish-and-economically-laughable/

Your thoughts anyone.

Daniel says:

08:32pm | 13/10/09

I was shocked to read that Chris Pyne was talking like this myself. I thought he was on the side of the Climate Change Sceptics. He must have realised now there is some votes in being with the rest of Australians that actually care about global warming.

KeIThY says:

09:11pm | 13/10/09

Nic doesn’t have a Dad who’s a scientist, obviously!

Bruce says:

10:27pm | 13/10/09

Climate change sceptic ?? What the hell is that?  Anyone who has read the most basic science book would know that the earth climate has been changing since the earth was formed and it will continue the to change. The term really should be “Human intervention sceptic”. No doubt the mighty human race has had some effect on the climate, but how much? More than farting cows? sun spots? gravitational pull of the moon?

Joe says:

12:37am | 14/10/09

I don’t think people ever realy did care about GW. They certainly don’t understand it. They just wanted someone to go and do something about the environment for them to releave their middle class urban guilt that the greens have created, and Rudd ticked that box.

M Cooke says:

12:38am | 14/10/09

I am sick of hearing about carbon foot print crap , ETS does that stand for EXTRA TAX STUPID .What does Australia omit in green house gases about three fifths of a fairies fart, I am 66 and and nothings changed in my neck of the woods weather wise. One thing that sticks out is that bloody Gore and the Dudd are rich buggers , I personally think it’s a load of expensive RUBBISH, I wonder what became of the hole in the sky, called the ozone layer that seems to have gone out of fashion.

S.L says:

05:20am | 14/10/09

I love these Global Warming debates. The doom and gloom that comes from the usual suspects always amuses me. A mate has a lived on a waterfont property for 30 years and he keeps commenting the water line hasn’t changed one inch on his jetty since he’s lived there! The Pacific islands are claimed to be under water soon. Um they are on the edge of tectonic plates and rise and fall constantly. Nothing to do with GW! Mt St Helens in the USA has larger and thicker glaciers on it now then before it erupted in the early 80s. GW to me is like an illusion, there is a logical explanation for everything but some choose to ignore it. As far as the temparature today is concerned ask any old Digger how hot the 30’s were before the war. A lot hotter than today but that is never mentioned. Of course being a climate sceptic I am considered an anti christ and would be shouted down by any tree hugging sandal wearer that crosses my path!

David says:

06:35am | 14/10/09

This ‘’ climate change ‘’ crap will turn out to be the greatest con job of all time . Stop pollution by all means to allow us to breathe ‘’ healthy ‘’ air . I would like to know how many of the global warming followers smoke .
Al Gore should hang his head in shame and so should all the dills that have been taken in by him .
Kevvy should be looking after us and get his insignificant image off the world stage . He pales into a ‘’ drivel ‘’ state when compared to the world leaders .
Also we all should join in singing along with Mr Pipik on global warming . Google him and you will enjoy ..... trust me !

dude says:

07:23am | 14/10/09

Wyne’n Pyne’n on the side of GW what a disaster for that noble cause, bet they didn’t see that coming. Now all they need to do is to get him to shut the f#@k up and any future CO2 target we need to reach will be easily met.

snap says:

07:35am | 14/10/09

The Lowy Institute Surveys reflect the Institute’s international affairs main focus.  Given the international context of the survey, the global financial crisis, political and economic concerrns here, shifts in perception are unsurprising.

As the global warming/climate change part of the Jul 2009 survey has richer detail than The Punch report covers,  it ma help to look at some more key points - quoting (my remarks in brackets, skips as [...]):

“Q Threats to Australia’s vital interests…in the next ten years (list of items)
Global warming:
Critical or important 85% 2009;  Critical 52% 2009 , 66% in 2008 (the focus of most media comments and still fourth most important ).

Q Now about global warming [...] which statement comes closest
to your own point of view: 
Global warming is a serious and pressing problem. We should begin taking steps now even if this involves significant costs…
48% 2009 60% 2008 68% 2006

Q Now about climate change. Would you say climate change is a problem or is not a problem?  2009 Is a problem 76%

Q (of those 76% above)  Over the past 12 months do you think obtaining a solution to the problem of climate change has become:  2009 More urgent 60%”

Full report available for download here:
http://www.lowyinstitute.org/

Plainly, despite the economic crisis, a high proportion of people are still very concerned about global warming and climate change, and a very significant proportion see it as more urgent problem than a year ago.

I agree with them.

Victoria says:

08:46am | 14/10/09

Globally a 1% spend on global GDP will stabilise GHG at 550ppm.

How much do you spend on home insurance/car insurance/health insurance/travel insurance in a year? When was the last time you actually used your home insurance, but you get it every year ‘just in case’?

Addressing climate change is insurance against what might happen.

There is every need to act in a precautionary way against climate change. There will be loosers (coal companies that have ignored the issue for ... welll… over 100 years.. since it was first suggested) and there will be the winners… those who take advantages of the opportunities on offer, such as making your electricity bill 30% less by making your home more efficient. I think the cost will probably all balance out and the economy isnt expected to stop growing becasue we address climate change.

Just as clogging your arteries with cholesterol doesnt make sense, it doesnt make sense to clog out air with harmful greenhouse gases.

Sometimes the obvious answer is the best. It’s that simple.

Liz says:

08:51am | 14/10/09

Public don’t know who to trust on this one that’s the real problem.If we knew we were getting the truth we’d be happier.

alison says:

11:17am | 14/10/09

Why is anyone suprised GW has fallen as an issue?

Everyone seems to have forgotten KRudd spent over $14 million on an advertising campaign (including TV ads) when he first got into Govt, which scared the bejeuss out of everyone with dry dams and a deep grim reaper esque voice warming of an imminent end to life as we know it.

Given this was one of KRudd’s first broken promises - that he wouldnt waste taxpayers funding on ad campaigns - nothing Kev07 says can be taken as fact.

The simple fact of the matter is that an Emission Trading Scheme which creates the perfect sub-prime derivitatives market without the bricks and mortar, is not the best way to reduce carbon emissions.

It is a ludicrious argument that being against an ETS makes you a climate change denier. Pyne is a fool for falling for Rudd’s spin on an ETS which is a tax on consumption - given the poodle hasn’t spoken about any alternatives to an ETS carbon tax he must be arguing that any of his colleagues who reject an ETS are climate change deniers. What a moron.

thatmosis says:

11:48am | 14/10/09

This is probably why the Government is now changing its tune and “inviting” changes to its flawed ETS

Senator Barnaby Joyce

Leader of the Nationals in the Senate

13th October 2009

COME CLEAN ON THE COST OF THE ETS, MR RUDD

Senator Joyce conducted a survey on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to establish what percentage of people actually understood what an ETS was. Based on a few simple questions, such as ‘What is your understanding of an ETS’, 91.5% of respondents did not understand how an ETS works.

The Labor Government says that the majority of people want an ETS but how can this be the case when the vast majority of people don’t even understand what it is?

This is part of the dishonesty behind this new revenue raising campaign. The ETS for all intents and purposes will be the Extra Tax System and a new Australian tax will not change the temperature of the globe. 

There is something definitely fraudulent about delivering a guilt trip that appeals to the greater anxieties of the community and then implying that the remedy to these anxieties is a new tax when you know, categorically, that the new tax will deliver nothing but revenue to the treasury and commissions to the brokers.

The ETS works on the premise that the majority of people are unaware of exactly how it works. The ETS’s affect on prices will change the buying pattern and supplying pattern of our economy. In fact that is the underlying principle of the plan.

In time, the ETS will deliver billions of dollars in commissions to carbon-permit brokers; they will trade those permits between the unfortunate sectors of the economy that will have to buy them. Industries will either pass the costs onto working families or they will go out of business trying. What Australians have to work out is that if they are involved in one of those sectors what is going to happen to them?

The Government spends so much on advertising propaganda, why does it not come clean with an advertising campaign that clearly spells out the costs of the ETS and properly states the fact that the Australian scheme is a gesture that will not change the temperature of the globe?

Media Inquiries

David Allender

07 4625 1500

0428 196 340

There has been no real communication between the Government and the people with “real” easy to understand scientifically based facts to back their stance. We are being asked to buy a pig in a poke and only a complete fool would even consider doing such a thing.

.