Science can only tell us what the rammifications from different scenarios of GHG ppm in the atmosphere will be. It is up to the community, with all its values and politics, to determine what level it is willing to accept. “Green Groups” who are risk-adverse and want zero emissions are clearing basing their response on the science, but are taking a risk-adverse reaction to it. Other groups, who accept the science may take a less risk-adverse reaction and agree to lower cuts.

But, if anyone claims this is “faith” - they can not logically be attacking the response to the science - as everyone has their own right to react to it how they like. instead, they are attacking the science itself. It is further proof that Ferguson is a sceptic.

I am no raving looney on the subject of anthropogenic climate change and sea level changes, however I consider Martin’s stance to be that of a modern-day King Canute, quaintly demanding that his will be obeyed and the tide go back out, despite the absolute scientific certainty that this will not happen.

Best of luck, Martin. There is a world of difference between wishing and knowing. You are a dill.

As to his false claims about “the Australian Government” paying for various stimulus projects. Au contraire - as abc radio national commentator Alison Carabine told all of Sydney audience 2 weeks ago, those school signs are “blarney”. Her point is its the taxpayers who pay for the school upgrades, the parks, the make job projects. The taxpayers, not the government as such. That’s you and me. That’s 10% of consumer items from each and every person with coins in their pocket, professional, unemployed, labourer, green voter.

So Martin, know your place. You work for the voters not the other way round.

Imagine if all those good burghers in the milds of Preston, started getting bolshie and thinking green.
Then again, perhaps Lindsay Tanner and Marn could swap electorates.

Like I said. Just dreaming…….

Lets examine that shall we?

Cuts:
Science - rich countries at least 40% by 2020 on 1990 levels, to give us any chance of avoiding runaway, catstrophic climate change. (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/21/2691324.htm)

Ferguson - 5-25% by 2020 on 2000 levels.

Energy:
Science (Prof Karoly et al in a letter and Dr James Hansen of NASA) - need to phase out coal burning and replace it with renewable energy ASAP. (see: http://www.loe.org/images/090515/Letter%20on%20coal.pdf and http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/mailings/2009/20090713_Strategies.pdf

Ferguson - lets burn coal for as long as we can so the coal corporations can keep paying my salary.

Let’s be honest. Ferguson is only an MP because his daddy was one and because he’s in a safe Labor seat. He is rude, in the pocket of the fossil fuel corporations, and totally ignorant about the immense threat that climate change poses. His letter to his constituents (shown to me by a friend of mine that lives in Preston) was so petty and badly written that he obviously wrote it himself, because he didn’t get any public relations person onto it. It reads like something a ten year old child would write when his friends wouldn’t let him play with his toys.

The man is a disgrace. He is certainly not fit to be a government minister.

Lets examine that shall we?

Cuts:
Science - rich countries at least 40% by 2020 on 1990 levels, to give us any chance of avoiding runaway, catstrophic climate change. (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/21/2691324.htm)

Ferguson - 5-25% by 2020 on 2000 levels.

Energy:
Science (Prof Karoly et al in a letter and Dr James Hansen of NASA) - need to phase out coal burning and replace it with renewable energy ASAP. (see: http://www.loe.org/images/090515/Letter%20on%20coal.pdf and http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/mailings/2009/20090713_Strategies.pdf

Ferguson - lets burn coal for as long as we can so the coal corporations can keep paying my salary.

Let’s be honest. Ferguson is only an MP because his daddy was one and because he’s in a safe Labor seat. He is rude, in the pocket of the fossil fuel corporations, and totally ignorant about the immense threat that climate change poses. His letter to his constituents (shown to me by a friend of mine that lives in Preston) was so petty and badly written that he obviously wrote it himself, because he didn’t get any public relations person onto it. It reads like something a ten year old child would write when his friends wouldn’t let him play with his toys.

The man is a disgrace. He is certainly not fit to be a government minister.