Climate Change Authority head says “bad guys” are winning
Bernie Fraser, head of the Climate Change Authority, has told The Guardian that the “good guys” are losing the battle to the “bad guys” when it comes to renewable energies like solar and wind. And it’s partially their own fault.
In comments preceding an address to the National Press Club on Thursday, Fraser told the newspaper that he feels the public with politicians and industry groups that spread misinformation and have tuned out of the debate.
“The problem seems to be to be that the bad guys are spreading untruths and exaggerations and assertions without a lot of hard evidence and serious debate, cheered on by the big companies who make similar assertions and repeat those assertions without thorough debate,” he said.
In an effort to clarify exactly who the good guys and bad guys are, he identified climate deniers who value attention of accuracy. “I ignore them and they deserve to be ignored … but it’s more serious when you get to people in positions of influence, in industry associations or companies, or in the government,” Fraser said. He then included the current government and some of their biggest supporters , admitting that when companies look after their own interests ahead of the communities it’s to be expected.
Well, who are the good guys? Fraser identified the scientific community that is tirelessly chasing the truth without interference from external factors. He was far from praise regarding the Labor party, suggesting they have lost their way and aren’t fighting the opposition with enough ferocity.
“There is no one out there really presenting a coherent, informed, mature case on this … It seems to be a very important debate we should be having is going by default and those who speak loudest and most frequently, regardless of the merits of the argument, seem to be winning the day,” he said.
