The grinding together of the economic tectonic plates seems to have subsided and aftershocks are generally easing with even the ban on naked  or covered short-selling of stock market shares lifted. Australia came out tops and is the envy of the world. We did not even blink. Mr. Confidence is back in town and swaggering wildly…

Yet, is this very success also not the cause for our complacency on the thundering locomotive of climate change, bearing down on us with ever increasing speed?  The proof of our relaxed state of mind could not be better demonstrated then that both sides of our political arena are being dominated by politician’s hell bent on staying in power and failing to grasp the significance of climate change. Do they really think we can go on as before and that a world will survive just on hope and that all will be kissed better, doing too little too late?

Where are the ‘wise men’ at this time, having the wisdom, courage and political strength to point out, that repeating what we have been doing will make things worse and hasten the demise of the world that we hardly ever knew.  Surely, we don’t want the same old economic growth again? Where are the brave that will deliberately and cogently argue for an economy based on saving the world and finally go for different kind of profits rather than mere outdated money profits?  Doing better with consuming less is not getting much attention here.  

The economic downturn all over the world, except in lucky Australia, should be seen as an advantage in turning the tide of terminal materialism. Save the world from this manic obsession with compound economic growth, year after year.  They are the very reasons the continuance of our planet is now being threatened. It is outdated.

By reducing energy use and decrease our over-consumption we would improve the likelihood of the world rearing up again and secure a future for our kids.  We are now on record of having the largest houses in the world, holding forth our selfish right to use and consume and dump even more CO2 into the word’s open sewer. How does it feel that Bangladesh is now one of the world’s most threatened countries and we are deliberately encouraging rising sea levels for 160.000.000 million including 44.000.000 children between 0 and fourteen?  Do our aspirations really not go further than living in dwellings that have multiple living areas, 4 bedrooms, spare rooms, office, game room, three bathrooms, and three garages with 2.20 kids?

At least, Bangladesh, despite being one of the poorest nations in the world, still managed to produce three Bengal Nobel Laureate Prize winners, turning adversity in a triumph for mankind and the rest of the world. Another overpopulated country have managed for a large part to live below the sea level and appear now to grasp the challenge and plan to continue with floating green houses, genetically improving and growing salt liking produce and taking advantage of the situation. Please look at: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/a-deluge-of-dutch-courage-20091204-kb3f.html?skin=text-only

A future Government can’t possibly continue on the old promise of bringing back what caused problems in the first place. We, for once could become a ‘first’ in something more than just sport. Our climate and over abundance of sun is crying out for solar panels on every roof top and on all those derelict industrial areas in our major cities, even on farm paddocks. Why haven’t we embraced that? What are we so reluctant about? Our housing could become the envy of the world. They might even get designed by a combination of the best of architects, planners and even scientists. Perhaps more compact for a better use of space and our families, but still with a garden for kids and vegies.  Townships and suburbs could have centralised cooling and heating. It is being done elsewhere and is far more energy efficient. Why not here?

The very least our homes should all be self sufficient in power, even better, be exporting  power back into the grid more than importing it. Just as important are the roofs being used for catching every drop of rain water that falls on it. We are the driest and yet the most wasteful with water. How can this be allowed to continue? A good and fast public transport together with penalising of large cars together with encouraging bicycles with matching bike paths. 

The present Government trumpets the subsidising with insulation bats our homes and yet don’t have the guts to legislate and make homes more energy efficient. Not only not have the guts, but allow hundreds of thousands of homes being built with black roof tiles, the worst of coloured material in absorbing heat. Is this just to allow ‘freedom’ of choice? What kind of freedom is it when we take so little in consideration in the squandering of energy trying to keep cool?  I doubt many countries in Europe would queue up to be that uncaring and neglectful in design.   Or is our obedience to the overriding dogma of allowing unfettered freedom to the detriment of a life for the future of our children and grandchildren allowed to override all?

Man shall know commonwealth again,

From bitter searching of the heart,

We love the easy and the smart,

But now with keener hand and brain,

We rise to play a bigger part. 

Part of a poem. (Leonard Cohen)