Rupert is behind the curve

It seems Uncle Rupert is coming around to climate change. However, in Australia many enlightened corporates have been working on the proviso that Australia will be part of a carbon trading regime at some point in the future. John Howard and others have not wanted to embrace this idea for idealogical reasons - many conservatives see the greens as the antipathy of the world they inhabit. But business and environmental action are moving closer together every day. However, increasingly it appears to most that it is the Coaltion government that is out of step with business and the community on this issue. Spending $500m picking new technology winners - while it helps to unearth some excting projects - is bad policy and bad economics. An enquiry into nuclear power instead of an enquiry into all possible options to combat climate change seems myopic at best. As for the economics of nuclear power, it seems unproven to most who know the energy industry. The fact that Australia lacks any uranium enrichment facilities, people with skills in the construction, maintenance and operation of nuclear power plants or any proven means of disposal of nuclear waste should ring alarm bells. Its a dangerous 1950's idea based on 1970's technology. Australia should be leading the way in the development of new exciting and clean means of producing energy. Geothermal or Hot Rocks technology is moving ahead with little or no government support. Reflective Solar, Solar Tower, Offshore Wind and advanced fuel cell technology all show promise for providing alternative energy solutions for future generations. But we need a market mechanism to make investing in these technologies make sense. Yes that means that our energy costs will go up. Yes we should insulate our exporting industries. By embracing carbon trading and a renewable energy future we become part of the next wave of technological innovation and new industries that many Australians would very much like to be a part of. I mean who really wants to live in the country with the highest per capita emissions of carbon dioxide?
By the way check the link - gotta love "The Sun"