Playing the devil

Playing the devil | The Australian

The Australian accepts that climate change represents a significant policy challenge for government, but encourages further debate. We have always been concerned about the quasi-religious fervour that surrounds climate change and remain wary of attempts to portray it as a moral rather than scientific issue. Dr Pell and Professor Aitkin represent welcome voices of caution. Professor Aitkin argues that despite the political spin, it is difficult to see scientific consensus on global warming, only a pretence at a contrived one. He says if no causal link exists between CO2 and rising temperatures, all the talk about carbon caps and carbon trading is worse than futile because they will reduce not only our own standard of living, but the standard of living of the world's poorest countries.