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 in Garnaut's judgments expands the mind to search for detailed and specific moral responses.
Past are the days of generalised moralising about future generations or our Pacific neighbours 'out there'. The moral questions are now specific and personal: about our homes, transport, education, super fund, investments, business, unions, farming practices etc. These areas raise concrete moral choices about a personal stance in the face of human-induced and rapid climate change.
Concrete moral choices are for the young as well as the old. Young people are challenged to purposely choose an education and career path that will better equip the nation to face climate change. Similar concrete choices face government departments to make ethical decisions about preferential procurements, future fund investments etc.
Hopefully the Garnaut review will convince voters that the climate challenge is bigger than any political party. Effective action would benefit from a multi-party pact offering long-term policies that provide national direction, a predictable business context and personal economic security, and which, most of all, would engender justified national pride.
In his recent book on climate change, High and Dry, Liberal insider Guy Pearce said all parties need a face-saving way forward. We have the recent and wonderful example of all political parties coming together for the apology to Aboriginal people. A multi-party agreement on the climate crisis is next.
Citizens can demand this pact with united and focused action. Send a letter to every politician — at all three levels of government, union heads, banks, superannuation investment managers, framers of laws and the like, demanding that pressure be brought to bear to form a multi-party agreement on national action to face climate change, now.
LINKS
• Garnaut Climate Change Review — Reports and Papers
• Columban JPIC Office
Dr Charles Rue is a Sydney-based priest of the Columban Missionary Society, and coordinator of Columban JPIC (Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation).