I am intensely embarrassed that per head of population, Australians are the worst greenhouse gas producers on the planet. Australians are proud of their environmental credibility, it is part of our national identity as the Steve Irwin phenomena shows, so it sits uncomfortably with me that this part of our national identity is largely a hollow shell. The first step to addressing this issue is to have a full debate about the ways that we can change this situation.

The prospect of using nuclear power for Australia’s future energy needs is revolting because it is unnecessary.  In Australia most of the power created by a nuclear program would be required solely because Australia still encourages very inefficient use of energy. 

If Cairns is to thrive in the future then we will have to think about energy supply as moving out of an oil-based economy will create a range of serious issues that have scarcely been thought of. Energy currently comes to Cairns from 3 sources: imported fuel, imported electricity and a small amount of locally generated electricity from the Stanwell Barron River power station.

One of the core beliefs of our society is that we will be able to transition to vehicles powered alternative energy sources that offer the same levels of convenience that fossil fuel powered vehicles do today. Even the Rocky Mountain Institute which is a championing the weaning of America off its fossil fuel addiction, considers that every American has a god given right to drive SUV’s or what we would call 4WDs and it is the prime mandate of the government and industry to find a new way to fuel these things.

In the coming age of fuel shortages, perhaps the pushbike will makea comeback. In Cairns however the distances are so great that it ischallenging for even fairly keen riders to make pushbikes analternative means of transport. Cairns is also one of the mostdangerous cities to ride in that I have ever encountered, however thatis another story. Whilst the pushbike is the most proven personalalternative to car transport, some changes will be needed before theybecome an alternative of choice.