Peter Stewart: General Manager - Eco Voice / Carbon Market

We have some very interesting pieces in this month's edition including some great excerpts from the CSIRO. From greener aviation fuel to the discovery of a new Southern Ocean current that has important implications towards climate change, these interesting pages highlight positive outcomes in scientific research. It's not all doom and gloom after all.

The Greens also point out that the iconic Rock Island Bend photo on the Franklin River in Tasmania has been included in the world's top 40 nature pictures of all time. The Peter Dumbrovskis photograph came to symbolise the struggle to save the Franklin River from inundation and was a landmark case in Australian politics. Having been a river guide on the Franklin River for many years, I have frequently passed through this spot between the "Pig's Trough" and "Newlands Cascades" rapids and always marvel at this picture that captures the ‘terrible beauty' of this region. I can't lay claim to the words ‘terrible beauty', as this was a book written many years ago by acclaimed author Richard Flanagan, about the Gordon Rivers region.

It is poignant here that I mention that there are also some pieces in this issue addressing another landmark environmental political decision, the governments deferral of the EPS (CPRS) till 2013. In this election year it is disappointing, nay appalling, that the government has effectively taken the issue of climate change off the table because it is too hard. With the opposition offering a soft rebuttal, it is obvious that they too do not want to debate this subject and risk losing votes for lack of policy. By utilising the issues of immigration and health reform as a smokescreen for their reluctance to address climate change, the parties are trying to bury policy debate in another election of impotent promises and stagnant responsibility.

In a true democracy, the government is elected by the people on its ability to address issues deemed important, by the people. We should not be voting on a future for Australia on subjects chosen by the political parties because that is the best way for them to win votes. By taking climate change off the agenda and brushing it away for a few years, the parties are treating the Australian public with contempt. It is a dire issue and we want to know what will be done on this before it is too late. To wave it off till 2012-2013, those in charge are suggesting that it is not an imminent threat but something that MAY be addressed in years to come.

We need to somehow engage the politicians and ensure that climate change is well and truly on the agenda at the next election and not just brushed aside. It is compulsory for us all to vote so it should be compulsory for political parties be responsible for giving us something to vote for. They need to justify a vote for the future of Australia and the earth, not just for their term in office.

Please enjoy this issue of Eco Voice and I hope that it gives you some insight into the current environmental issues that are surrounding us at present.