Beyond Kyoto, Oi, Oi, Oi

Climate change policy in Australia continues to be led from the bottom-up with the latest polling from the Climate Institute indicating 73% of Australians are ready to move beyond Kyoto Protocol commitments for greenhouse gas emissions reductions. However, those 73% weren't asked how much they'd be wiling to pay for those reductions. In fact, when asked whether they'd support action even if people's jobs were on the line, the number dropped to 38%. So as with most purchasing decisions, there is a difference between what people want and what they think they can afford. . .

'Tis the Season for Climate Stuff

With negotiations in Bali underway, The Age reports on Ross Garnaut, the man charged with executing what has appropriately been called the Garnaut Review - in other words, the Stern Review down under.

"The Review will examine the impacts of climate change on the Australian economy, and recommend medium to long-term policies and policy frameworks to improve the prospects for sustainable prosperity."

Meanwhile, the Climate Insitute released its own take on the costs of GHG mitigation, in a report which concluded that Australians can tackle climate change and continue to grow wealthier in the process. And in other news, CNN reports on the much publisised plight of the small-island states.