Rob, if all countries had low population densities like Australia,
we would not have a global problem. Which enphasises my point of the
elephant in the room. The global weather pattern is not going to
change, no matter what we in Austalia do. We simply don't matter.

At present we have a high per capita CO2 output for good reasons.
We don't use nuclear like so many countries, our ability for hydro
is limited and we export energy for the benefit of others. Aluminium
smelting, food production, coal mining etc, produce more CO2 then
say banking. That does not mean that we should rush off on a guilt
trip.

China matters. Luckily they are also starting to move. 100 million
solar hot water systems installed. Their wind story was a bit of
a disaster, so they have learned with PV to practise on others first.
Now that they have their production costs down so low, they will
soon start rolling out their own. The price of Poly silicon is now
10% of what it was in 2008. In business timing matters.

Australia will ride on the coattails of what others have discovered
and can manufacture.

The whole future is a gamble, I am surprsided that you are not
aware of that.

http://www.climatespectator.com.au/commentary/chinas-great-big-solar-boost

Ammonite, every good businessman knows that the most certain thing
in business is constant change. The devil is in the detail, ie how
best to change it and not go bellyup in the process, as so many
feelgood Govt and dreamer schemes do.

Given your naivety about how business operates, it seems that you were
not aware of that.

"Australia will ride on the coattails of what others have discovered
and can manufacture."

When do think Yabby it might happen? Timing is perfect, but based on your view, the energy sector initiatives are unlikely in the near future. For these reasons we need governments policies, regulations and economic instruments.

The real economy is good, but you have mentioned primarily only mining and mineral / metal ore processing ? It is the Third World model (Africa again ?) so there it nothing to be particularly proud of. Such energy devouring industry confirms the urgent need for renewable energy and energy efficiency. We should not be constrained to the households and their domestic solar panels and LCD screens then ?

How many energy efficiency initiatives have taken recently by industry ? How many BREAM or LEED certifications ? How many LCA studies for industrial products ? What is the government doing then when the industry fails us.

*For these reasons we need governments policies, regulations and economic instruments.*

That is all very well, Rob, but hardly of much benefit if those
Govt regulations knock another few nails into the coffin of industries
other then mining, unlike their overseas competitors. Assisting to
destroy them purposefully, is hardly smart thinking.That is
exactly what the present legislation "which is gonna save the planet"
is doing.

We do in fact export agricultural and some manufactured products.
Why cripple them to satisfy your feelgood intentions?

Cheap energy was one of the major comparative advantages which
industry in Australia had going for it. Now you want to destroy
that too

Thank you Yabby for your significant input to this thread. It seems that only two of us (and occasionally Ammonite) are still being interested to discuss this topic. Although we have tried, we have not narrowed the gap between us in our stance over the last three week. I hope you do not mind that we break up at this stage. Thank you again.

*How many BREAM or LEED certifications ? *

I actually looked those up, Rob, as my final point :)

You see, I have this sneaky suspicion that all sorts of people
with a vested self interest, now want the Govt to bankroll their
you beaut idea to save the planet. They will have their snouts
in the trough, of that you can be sure. Govt pork funds are
a great way to make a quid!

I built a house in the early 80s. I read up everything available
about climate and suitable buildings. Lots of glass facing
north, breakfast on the East, to catch the sun, bedroom on the
SW, to catch the summer nightly breeze. Solar hot water on the
roof, good insulation. I've lived in it since and it all works
beautifully. If I as an amateur builder can do that, surely
our architects can be trained to design energy efficient buildings.

Govts can legislate for that. No need for a carbon tax, no need
to send exporters to the wall, no need for pork funds. It could
have been done years ago. But right now people see a few miners
making a quid and everyone wants to get their snout in the trough,
one way or another.