In April 2007 Australian States and Territories commissioned Ross Garnaut to do an economic analysis of climate change scenarios for Australia, something like the Stern Review in the UK. An interim report was published last week. The serious risks outlined have shocked many.
The report provides a platform for a range of immediate actions based on logical methods of analysis and rational argument. It sets out objectives, stabilisation plans, ways of dealing with interim carbon increases until 2012, and principles to fairly allocate new emission limits.
Garnaut has limited the scope of his review to the economics of climate change. He has little to say on the environmental or social value of Australia's ecological assets. The review draws strong links between local economic decisions and international responses to climate change, particularly those that set binding reduction targets to establish a base line for carbon trading.
However, this view seems to exaggerate both Australian dependence on international forces and the benefits of carbon trading. It underplays Australia's independent economic base as a wealthy and resource rich nation that can take immediate actions to safeguard its own future, like several European nations are doing.
Some analysts of the interim report are still trotting out the old neo-con arguments about Australia having to wait because it has to act in concert with China, USA and other major emitters of greenhouse gases. It is the same line used in the past as a delaying tactic, based on ideology, not on reason.
In fact, China and the USA are making great strides in carbon reduction at the local level. China is installing more solar hot water tanks per year than the rest of the world combined. Federal USA political backing for the fossil fuel lobby, which is restricting excellent state initiatives, will hopefully end this year.
In a sign of hope Garnaut's interim report says we should 'play to Australian strengths' — high awareness about the causes and consequences of climate change, an innovative skills base, and established management and financial service sectors. It is of note that these strengths are largely socially based, not economically based.
Along with other citizens, church people have an important role in demanding immediate and across-the-board action on climate change to make Australian awareness and skills count. The Rudd Government has opened public debate to a moral view of politics. The detail