How important is climate change in deciding your vote?

[Phyllis Stein]

Hi all :wave:

I just read this piece on the extinction of the world's reefs and wondered how much climate change really influences your vote?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/18/2062492.htm

I know it is probably the #1 issue for me, although I see it's connected to a lot of other issues, like the economy, poverty, security etc.

The Libs have long shown they are against any climate change measures that *may* negatively impact the economy, which I think is utterly stoopid and irresponsible. IMO, if there's one reason to vote the Libs out, it's this! They have cut funding to renewable energy research and insist the only way to go is nuclear power and carbon geo-sequestration. I'm of the mind that energy efficiency measures, changing building requirements, smaller-scale renewable enrgy etc is a much better, more environmentally sustainable way to go. I don't know Labor's full policy yet, but they will ratify Kyoto, which is a massive step!!! For all it's inadequacies, Kyoto was an international agreement that provides for cooperation among nations - something desperately needed for the future, when climate change encroaches on some countries livability.

So anyway, enough rambling. I'm interested to know if climate change makes it onto your radar when voting? How much so? How do you interpret the different party's atttudes/ responses to it?

[forbetoel]

Yep it is number 1 issue for me too. Closely followed by education and health. I am voting for the party which I best believe will leave a better Australia for my children. If we keep treating the planet like this, I don't even want to know about the kind of world my grandchildren may inherit.
The way I interpret the parties attitudes to climate change is pretty simple. I am sick of hearing John Howard for the past 11 years go so far as to even doubt that climate change was even having any effect :confused: He has refused to do anything about it, because change's in policies for climate change for him always come down to dollars. Now with an election looming, he is putting on his green mask and pretending that it is now an important issue, but I won't be fooled, John Howard only cares about the economy, and has made several staements over the years referring to certain changes being 'bad' for the economy, and refused to sign the Kyoto agreement. Labor on the other hand, I believe have always had a better attitude to climate change, and I am hoping after the election if Labor wins, that Peter Garret will step up to the plate....rightly or wrongly I believ he has taken a bit of a back seat at the moment. I would give my first vote to the greens, but other thatn enviroment, I am not really that confident in their ability to run the rest of the country. So for me, yes, climate change/the enviroment is my number one priority, and I will be giving Labor my vote with preference to the greens.

[Noah_and_Elijah]

Climate change, education and health are all my deciding factors.

Like 4boys2love Labour will also get my vote with preference to the Greens.

[LovelyRita]

Climate change is up there for me too. I couldn't say that it would be the most important as there are a number of things that are in the number one spot for me. Definitely, climate change, a real and genuine move towards reconciliation and a better future for indigenous Australian's, education and health are all top of my list.

[spoon]

Climate change is important however I feel that the human race is a threat to itself and this is more of a danger as far as i see it. Our society has been crumbling for a while now. When i was growing up i thought it was unexeptable to be racist, but these days is is perfectly fine.:thumbsdown:

I believe the attitude of the standing government has had a MASSIVE hand in this.

This to me is #1, then environment.

[Phyllis Stein]

Yeah, I see your point LDHB. It's hard to single out one issue that's top - they're all interconnected anyway, but to me, climate change is just the deal maker/ breaker. I could never support a party that didn't take the threat very seriously, despite how good their other policies may be.

[Bewitched]

Yup, Labour will get my vote with preference to the Greens as well, i am terrified of what this planet will be like for future generations :crying: