Kenneth Davidson's latest diatribe in The Age on climate change policy can’t be allowed to go unchallenged.
Reasonable people can hold different views on how Australia should respond to climate change.
Many believe the Rudd Government's proposals should be tougher. That's fair enough, but to then allege that the Government's in the pocket of big polluters is just juvenile name-calling. It's an easy sledge from someone who doesn't have to get legislation through the Senate, manage the impact on the economy, and ensure community opinion remains onside.
The Government's proposals involve cuts of between 5 and 15 per cent of carbon emissions by 2020, with the prospect of 25 per cent being offered at the global conference in Copenhagen in December. Those who think that's too weak should take note of two things. Economic and population growth drive emissions higher every year. And the proposed base year is 2000. Emission levels in 2009 are well above 2000 levels, so the actual cuts required to meet the 5 - 15 per cent objective would be roughly in the order of 13 - 24 per cent. That will involve significant challenges for our economy and for many households.
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