Letters to the editor

A recent report by the Lowy Institute shows how attitudes have changed since 2006 when, generally speaking, Australians were much more concerned than they are now.

That concern showed a steady decline until 2012 before it started to increase again, although we still haven’t reached the level of concern in 2006.

In the first section participants were asked to say which of three statements came closest to their own point of view.

First statement: Global warming is a serious and pressing problem.

We should begin taking steps now even if this involves significant costs.

In 2006 68% of participants chose this. The percentage dropped to 45% in 2012 but has now progressively increased to 53%.

Second statement: The problem of global warming should be addressed, but its effect will be gradual, so we can deal with the problem gradually by taking steps that are low in cost.

In 2006 just 24% chose this. In 2012 this increased to 45% but has now gone into a steady decline to 36%.

Third statement: Until we are sure that global warming is really a problem, we should not take any steps that would have economic costs.

In 2006 only 7% of participants thought this best represented what they thought. The percentage increased to 19% in 2011 but has now steadily declined back to 11%.

That’s all good news if the trend keeps up. But it still leaves 47% of us who say that global warming is not a serious and pressing problem. So why not?

Presumably either because we deny it’s happening or because we agree it’s happening but through natural causes.

Of those, according to a 2014 CSIRO study, some 70% said their views were based on either historical events or current weather or plain old common sense.

Only 11.3% of the deniers and 18.9% of the “yes but  natural” group nominated scientific research as the basis for their views. That’s depressing.

In the second section of the Lowy report participants were asked whether they personally agreed or disagreed with the following statements.

The responses are all from 2016 and are a bit of a mixed bag.

First statement: The use of fossil fuels is in decline around the world and Australia should invest more in alternative energy sources or risk being left behind. Agree 88%. Disagree 9%

Second statement: The use of fossil fuels causes global warming and we should reduce reliance on them to help combat climate change. Agree 79%. Disagree 19%.

Third statement: Australia should continue to export coal to developing countries, to help them grow and reduce poverty. Agree 66%. Disagree 31%.

Fourth statement: Australia has an abundant supply of fossil fuels and we should continue to use and export them to keep our economy strong. Agree 53%. Disagree 45%.

Even though the first statement is more about economics than the environment, the second statement shows a significant majority of us recognise the problem and the solution.

But then, in the third and fourth statements, most of us think we should keep exporting coal!  

Certainly helping reduce poverty and keeping our economy strong are both very  important but the climate scientists are clear that unless the world keeps most of our coal in the ground the planet is in strife.

Jim Main

“Treetops” Cootamundra