The local letters continue...

Mr Linke demonstrates again the folly of applying yesterdays thinking to tomorrows problems.

I previously stated that we need to reverse our trajectory in greenhouse emissions within the next 5 years, Mr Linke finds this "nonsensical". But it has and continues to be the position of Australia's and the Worlds climate scientists.

Why should we act ? Partly, as the worlds biggest per capita polluter, partly because we cannot expect poorer countries with lower emissions to lead. But more importantly, with our coastal development, fragile soils and arid climate we are especially vulnerable to the impacts.

The exact same argument applies to UK, France and Italy, who produce similar total emissions.

We face difficult decisions solving both our future energy and water provisions. In a drier, hotter climate, more of us, consuming more is very problematic.

The current state government's plans include 3 new coal fired power plants, increasing our states CO2 emissions by 75% and resulting in unsustainable water use in the food producing South West. Truly irresponsible.

Failing to include currently externalised costs results in distorted markets. Coal fired power is not cheap once externalities are included ( ExternE study). Just as Public transport is more economic than driving once you add in the health costs from pollution, obesity and trauma.

Energy efficiency, co-generation and renewable energy technologies can be built quickly, use minimal water and once built, have a free and safe fuel source, are clearly the solution.

A report this week from Prof Mike Sandiford, at University of Melbourne's Energy Institute, finds it possible and affordable for Australia to be fully wind and solar powered within 10 years. No coal, no nuclear. The obstacles it seems are political, not technical.

Solar power works, that is why the World Bank is investing $5.5 billion in the North Africa project.

Mr Linke raises fears of unemployment, but last years report from the National Institution of Economics and Industry, finds the opposite, with 770,00 new clean energy jobs by 2030.

But Mr Linke tows the outdated Nuclear industry line despite the fact that Nuclear Power continues to be late, unsafe and uncertain.

Claiming that new reactors can be built within 5 years is patently at odds with the evidence. French nuclear power company Areva's flagship reactor in Olkiluoto, is massively overbudget, years behind schedule and now plagued by construction and safety problems. A familiar story.

Nuclear medicine is not dependent on the nuclear industry. Radio-isotopes are produced by facilities like Lucas Heights, not from standard reactors and can also be produced in Cyclotrons.

The "baseload" argument is distorted by vested interests, whose power stations are inflexible and must run at full capacity to maximise efficiency and profit, the resulting night-time surplus results in discounted off-peak electricity. Ideally, we would only produce what we need, when we need it , this “load following” production is more compatible with new renewables than old coal and nuclear.

I am no extremist Mr Linke, I support reasoned, scientific solutions to our problems. What I have suggested is that we consider all the consequences of our decisions, including health and social not just economic when deciding our future.

We need a prescription for a healthy planet, a sustainable environment and economy, strong on democracy and socially justice. And those are Greens core values.