Anybody that thinks that you can tackle climate change without first tackling the problem of world overpopulation is simply urinating into the breeze. If current trends continue, by 2050 we will have a world population of 12 billion, and the navy will be using refugee boats for target practice. We are going to have a major war over resouces, particularly oil, (if we are not already in it), and billions will die.

The United States could well retreat to its borders, with us hopefully included within them. This can only happen after they make themselves independent of middle east oil. The rest of the world will be left to fend for themselves, like Africa is now.

Nothing will be done about climate change by the countries that matter, such as China, as they will have far more pressing worries.

As usual, Australia will not matter, as has always been the case, and will be unable to influence the global outcome. Thank heavens we have a sea boundary.

Welcome to the 21st century!

"Where do they find these nutters?"

According to a Lowy Institute poll:

http://www.lowyinstitute.org/Publication.asp?pid=470

68% of Australians think global warming to be a serious problem requiring urgent action. 24% think it a problem with gradual effects, so requiring only gradual action. 7% dont believe in taking action until it is certain that there is a problem. 1% dont know.

Going by OLO, it would seem that the denialists are a vocal minority. I also think that the denialists should stop degrading the term sceptic. For me, such a term evokes great scientists going against beliefs of the day on the basis of scientific evidence. The self-appointed sceptics on OLO do no more than dredge up false and misleading stories, suggest alternatives either unsupported by or without evidence, or accuse the scientists involved of being in some grand conspiracy to rip off the public. And now Perseus is developing a persecution complex.

As for nutters, one thing I would never do is acknowledge any truth in their delusions.

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/3800/3840.asp?index=9599&src=newsp

“….while without doubt we’ll have to elevate social and environmental sustainability to equal or greater status as that enjoyed by the economic kind.”

Well at least sustainability got a mention Murray!

Come-on, what on earth are we supposed to do while China continues to expand rapidly, followed by India?

Do you really think that we should be even bothering to address climate change at all in Australia with this world scenario?

Let’s face it, the damn mess has been set in train and we can’t stop it now!

But we can address our own sustainability issues. THIS is where the focus MUST be! And if we do this properly, we will as a matter of course address greenhouse gas emissions pretty damn effectively anyway.

But if try to address climate change in this country outside of a sustainability regime, that is, with the continuous growth paradigm still entrenched, then we are just bloody kidding ourselves.

FOOLS you just don't get it at all

plerdsus,

A nice virulent pandemic will solve a lot of the world's problems about now - population growth and depletion of resources in particular. A halt to international air travel will also have environmental benefits.

I believe this matter was seriously discussed back in the seventies and this was one of the "solutions".

Faustino,

the IPCC estimates can equally be shown to be too conservative regarding economic growth and corresponding pollution increases. Even if the amount of pollution remains static there will, within our lifetime, be a considerable change in climate.

As everyone is happily pointing out, China is responsible for a huge proportion of greenhouse gas emissions, which is growing at a rate higher than previously thought. I think our best option is to bite the bullet, invest in greener technology, & once it's proven just give it to them.

Perhaps you'd prefer to wait...and wait...and wait some more...there are many on this site who would. Sheesh, we're already a wealthy country with the wherewithall to make something happen. It seems we have too many people enamoured of our PM's pie-in-the-sky policy of doing nothing at any expense and hoping it'll all blow over