Over to Business to Lead

It is always stimulating and ever hopeful when you attend a conference like the latest Climate Change and Business event in Sydney. There’s a wealth of talent, access to brilliant minds, and updates on all the wonderful business of climate change being done here and around the world. Then you come thudding down to earth when you hear politicians talk! Leadership is what’s needed but there’s little sign of that. Business is taking a lead, and there must be more of that. New Zealand has shown that it is possible to get an emissions trading scheme underway and Minister Nick Smith should sit down with his Australian counterparts to show how it’s done. We also hear of all the other policies and plans from offshore which our Government needs to take notice of. Singapore leads the way in its usual enterprising way, for energy efficiency, buildings and transport. Pakistan and Russia continue to take a belting from the weather and we see what impact that is having on their economies and their people. And we wonder whether the latest job Kevin Rudd has been given will make any difference at home or abroad. There’s some encouraging energy news concerning hot rocks, biochar, wind and electricity generation. We see how climate change could boost learning in science for students. Don’t forget to check out Beyond Zero Emissions, Make Poverty History and Walk Against Warming.  It’s all on for young and old. – Ken Hickson