We would never have been in this predicament if we still had the same population we had at the beginning of the last century. We might not have had the so called high standard of living that we enjoy and all the medical break-throughs etc., but at least the planet would be sustainable which it isn't now. We are still on that downward path totally unable to stabilise the number of people that are causing all the problems that we experience, including climate change. Every country in the world is committed to expansion. It is all madness and probably all too late, yet it was obvious 100 years ago that caution was advisable. religion again is partly to blame with their "go forth and multiply" philosophy

CJMorgan

So Labor and LNP are fair game for you but not your Greens? Good one!

You cannot dispel the argument that the Greens have even less credibility in environmental issues than Labor and LNP because the facts are there for all to see. The Greens' impossible, lunar 'solution' to coal shipments is to ban them forthwith AND switch off coal fired power generation.

Here is Bob Brown on coal shipments:

http://www.crikey.com.au/2007/02/09/bob-browns-coal-stance-sends-politicians-into-a-panic/

All care and no responsibility.

You know, somewhere, at some point you lot have to realise that there is simply no way we, as a nation, can continue to live the lives we are accustomed to and, turn our backs to opportunities like these.

Just think for a moment what your/our lives would be like if we didn't have coal?

Now on the other hand, switch off your lights, power, hot water, stop turning your computer on, don't drive anywhere, in fact, scrap your car so no one else can drive it and grow your food as to buy it from a retailer/wholesaler requires the use of power.

Now if all of you do this it will at least ease some of the HUGE 1% OF CO2 we as a nation ommitt and, the rest of us can continue to live in the 'real world' knowing that you lot are taking one for the team, which, by all accounts, should make you all feel warm and fuzzy knowing you are not contributing to the HUGE 1% of world wide CO2 emmissions.

Oh! did I mention the 60+% population growth our fearless leader has planned for us!

Don't try and change the subject, Cornflower. Of course the Greens favour phasing out coal exports, because they are environmentally unsustainable. Unlike the ALP and the LNP they are not hypocritical on this issue.

Back on topic, you didn't answer my question about coal exports and sustainability, so I'll repeat it:

Perhaps you could tell us, as someone who claims to have "long been concerned about the environment and sustainability", exactly how this massive expansion in coal mining and exports will be environmentally sustainable?

No need for the doom and gloom just yet, Ludwig. The deal hasn't been done.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/business/2010-02/08/c_13168542.htm

But I would still like to ask you which is the more likely.

We manage to find efficient sources of renewable energy i) with or ii) without the benefit of revenues from coal exports.

And hey, it's not even as if we're using the stuff. They are.

Pericles;
They use it but it goes on our account.
Makes anything we do to be meaningless.

Just shut up shop aND GO HOME !