Head in the clouds or the sand?

Election campaigns are not the most enlightening of times as Australians are discovering as the country heads towards its Federal vote on 21 August. And it is unlikely that climate change action in the form of a price on carbon – or any other realistic measure – will get the commitment it deserves from all those seeking office. More good advice for anyone who will listen from Geoff Carmody on a carbon tax, Matthew Wright on 100% renewable energy and  Phil Preston for a Green Investment Bank. Sad to report that climatologist supremo Dr Stephen Schneider has suddenly departed this earth before seeing the results for his labour to get real global recognition and action on climate change. Good to see a strong push from European countries to go further and faster on emissions reductions. There’s obviously more Australia can do about storing carbon and getting cleaner results from the soil, and there’s much warranted support for the Australian Green Infrastructure Council. News that vulnerable nations are taking steps to not only stem the tide, but cut their emissions, while Graham Readfearn shows us that for every cloud there is a silver lining of sorts. ExxonMobil and BP are still in the firing line for the damage they’re doing, but British Airways has latched on to a promising, clean fuel. Now that’s rubbishy news we like to hear! – Ken Hickson