Today the Australian government will announce the target for reducing Co2 emissions, due to start in 2010. Whatever that figure - it will not please everyone !
The objective is to cease warming the planet by reducing the amount of carbon generated and this is to be measured as a reduction achieved by the year 2020.
The government has suggested that this target will be somewhere in the range between five and twenty percent - generating howls of pain from both ends of the debate spectrum.
For the purists a low figure will achieve nothing and condemn the world to rising seas, lower rainfall and the death of millions.
For industry the gazetting of a higher figure would amount to " economic suicide " because the cost of implementation would make us uncompetitive and see our economy crash to ruin.
The fact that the decision is being taken at a time when most of the world has slid into recession and the world economy is on a knife edge is seen by many as a good reason to delay the start until times improve. Others question whether any figure is sustainable unless all the nations on this planet agree to jump aboard.
Then there is the question of good faith. Leaders of some countries are known for agreeing to plans and signing legal documents - and at the same time having no intention of actually meeting these obligations.
Pledges of money at world forums are little more than a joke - when implementation is ignored. Why should anything be different when it comes to climate change and the pain necessary to reduce Co2 levels.
It seems that Australia is likely to be one of the first nations to bite the bullet and announce a binding reduction target. World reaction will give an indication of just how seriously other nations are committed to action rather than just rhetoric.
A deathly silence would not bode well for this planet !
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