This year could mark a turnaround for the public debate on climate change in Australia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef, and images of a king tide in Sydney last June after a storm hit Australia’s east coast, appear to have changed people’s thinking about the problem.
A report by the Climate Institute found 77 per cent of Australians believe climate change is happening, compared to 64 per cent four years ago.
About 65 per cent want to see Australia lead the world in solutions, an increase from 52 per cent in 2010-12.
Solar energy was the preferred energy source for 59 per cent of people, compared to three per cent for coal.
The debate over the carbon tax and the failure of the 2009 Copenhagen climate summit to reach an accord exhausted people’s interest in climate change.
Since the carbon price was abolished and the issue slipped out of national focus, people have grown more supportive of action.
While more people are accepting climate change is happening, it didn’t figure as much of an issue in the last federal election.
Medicare, the economy and tax reform took up more airtime than wind turbines and emissions trading schemes.
The Coalition didn’t raise it, because it’s an issue it can’t beat Labor and the Greens on. Perhaps Labor didn’t focus on it as much knowing the damage another carbon tax scare campaign could inflict.
Whatever the reason, climate events will only strengthen concern about the problem, to the point that serious action will become a widespread vote winner.
The carbon tax was such an easy target for the Coalition to attack because it was implemented without a mandate. Labor, and the rest of the country, appeared forced into the reform by a power sharing deal with the Greens.
It showed the importance of getting voters on side before making a reform that would impact their bottom lines.
The research shows that people are obviously concerned about climate change.
This is an opportunity for all parties who support action on climate change – including the Liberals and Labor – to start a conversation on measures that will reduce Australia’s carbon emissions further.
Voters are ready to listen and participate. The serious consequences of inaction, for the economy and health, should make this a priority.