Natural Disaster

When it’s framed as a global insurance policy issue, you don’t even need to believe passionately in the likelihood of catastrophic climate change to support doing something about it.

When Kevin Rudd said climate change was the greatest moral challenge of our time he framed the issue as one of conviction and belief. Tony Abbott’s response has been similarly framed by the opposite – disbelief and skepticism. 

It comes as no surprise to many who know these two leaders that they would frame the debate around themes such as faith and belief.

Continue reading "Act on climate change, even if you don’t believe in it" »

It’s not entirely clear what Julia Gillard is softening us up for following the Queensland flood disaster.

But if a Prime Minister is given the chance to deny the fact they are considering to introduce a new tax and doesn’t take that opportunity, well, you can safely assume that the revenue raising exercise being considered is not a talent extravaganza hosted by Sophie Monk.

Gillard seems to prefer the words “levy” to the more politically suicidal “tax”, but the Government appears to be committed to keeping its promise the budget in surplus by 2012-13 even if it means we pay more in tax at the next budget.

Continue reading "Should we pay a flood tax?" »

The bills are rolling in and then you notice the insurance policy for the house and contents is due. The cost seems astronomical and you are left thinking how insuring your property can be so expensive.

How will you afford to pay the insurance bill? The question really should be how you can neglect to pay for insurance, instead putting your economic livelihood at stake. You study your policy to look for clues to justify the cost.

Why is the policy so expensive? Are there any ways of making the premium any cheaper? Although you are analysing the cost, there is little understanding of how the premium is actually calculated.

Continue reading "Don’t blame insurers - blame the system" »

As human lives and communities are destroyed by floods in Australia, and we recall the devastation of the Haiti quake one year on, it’s appropriate to reflect on the continuing challenge humanity faces to work out how best to master nature.

As much as we can be in awe of the beauty of nature, we should resist the naive nature worship that ignores just how arbitrary and destructive it can be.

While we are in fact part of nature, we are that part of nature that is aware of itself. We are able to imagine and construct ways of shaping and managing nature to neutralise its (and our) dark side.

Continue reading "Worshipping nature doesn’t help humanity" »

Bathed in an eerie sunlight, Brisbane doesn’t look like Queensland’s next disaster zone.

Small patches of mockingly blue sky mask the overwhelming sense of dread that has settled across the city.

The impending flood is expected to trump the infamous 1974 floods - and authorities are struggling to predict the extent of the damage. The CBD is uncharacteristically silent and calm, the usual morning hum replaced by a worrying stillness. The air is hot and the humidity is stifling.

Continue reading "Brisbane on edge as a city awaits its fate" »