We will hurt ourselves badly before we wake up

We will hurt ourselves badly before we wake up to what is happening. Sorry to be so pessimistic, but that has been humanity’s typical behaviour, and the Rudd Government’s backflip on “the greatest moral and economic challenge of our time” (in deferring the ETS) points very strongly to us going the same way again. So much for us heeding Sir Nicholas Stern’s and Prof Ross Garnault’s advice that a stitch in time saves nine. Nup – ignore that – it’s full steam ahead into major climate catastrophe and subsequent economic damage, and then try to make the best of it.

The built environment makes up a significant proportion of the potential reduction in greenhouse emissions, and Envirotecture is not alone in demonstrating buildings that can reduce energy consumption by up to 100% (yup, that’s zero emissions folks!). So why are governments so sluggish in rising to the occasion?

Clive Hamilton has analysed this very nicely in his latest book “Requiem for a Species” – but you aren’t going to like it. It challenges what makes you happy (and here I am taking the liberty of a dreadful generalisation, coz I know retail therapy does not work on everybody). It also challenges the way nations count wealth and value: the hopeless “GDP” tape measure that cannot even address basic stuff like “Did you enjoy that meal, darling?” or “Isn’t Johnny doing well at school this year!”

If this message resonates with you and yet you have never done anything ‘political’ before, can I suggest you do so now. Maybe sign the GetUp! online petition, or become a supporter. Or look at the ACF Online climate information, and send them a message of support that will bolster their voice within the halls of Canberra. Or maybe tell your local members (state and federal) that you know enough about coal and coal fired power to know it’s a lousy deal for the country, no matter how tough the Minerals Council talks.

Do something – however small it may seem – so you can tell your grandkids you tried.