The grass is burning, the cement is sizzling, the beaches are full of sun burnt bodies, the damns and rivers are running dry, the summer heat is well upon Sydney for another year. Zoran Vidic, 19, is lecturing his brother about the need to take quicker showers. He tells him, with a wide sarcastic grin on his face, that he will alone waste Sydney's water supply.
The Vidic family have been coerced into thinking and eventually caring about the environment by their son, who has come to care about the way society and mankind treats the place they call home. The environment was not seen as one of the issues that provoked a deep emotional connection from Zoran. Recent times, however, have changed this opinion with climate change becoming an issue that has demanded attention; Zoran views the situation as earth's very own car crash. He knows the contribution he and his family make cannot stop climate change. Although every single statement made, such as having quicker showers, "aids the cause".
The year is 2006, the documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth' by Al Gore has caused the global society to take notice of climate change as an issue. The effects of climate change are discussed and debated; a consensus is reached that mankind is the cause of the problem. Governments across the world are elected, on the basis that they will make climate change initiatives a major part of their policy.
It is late 2008, the global economy is plunged into a financial crisis. Nations across the world are dragged into what has been described as a "recession" by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. An article in 'Time' magazine describes the challenge that US President Barack Obama is currently facing as "One. Trillion. Dollars. That's how much money Barack Obama says is needed to kick-start the economy. How he spends it could determine the fate of his presidency". A further 'Time' article states "Barack Obama has said building an alternative energy economy will be his top priority," that was back in November and the global situation has gone frighteningly south of the equator since then. World leaders are now being placed under pressure, they are focusing on finding solutions for the economic crisis. The crisis has started to have an influence on the climate change initiatives that governments have promised to implement. Lenore Taylor of 'The Australian' wrote "Kevin Rudd has reneged on his election pledge to introduce emissions trading next year, winning broad business and environmental support for a delayed scheme with a softer economic impact during the recession but possibly tougher reduction targets in the longer term." The Australian governments announcement is an indication of people's frustrations with the lack of urgency in accepting global warming as an immediate threat. As can be deciphered, these two issues are at the forefront of public discussion.
Analysis of the climate change issue has been at the centre of discussions throughout society. Environmentalist, scientist and former Australian of the Year Tim Flannery has been a vocal activist for climate change, specifically how it is a monumental task that humanity must overcome. The book 'The Weather Makers: The History & Future Impact of Climate Change', written by Mr Flannery, has raised significant points about the severity of climate change. Mr Flannery attempts to assert in his book that "One of the biggest obstacles to making a start on climate change is that it has become a cliché before it has even been understood," he continues to emphasise the need to place climate change as the most important issue facing humanity, "What we need now is good information and careful thinking, because in the years to come this issue will dwarf all the others combined. It will become the only issue," Mr Flannery ends his statement by arguing "We need to re-examine it in a truly sceptical spirit-to see how big it is and how fast it's moving-so that we can prioritise our efforts and resources in ways that matter." People have been educated abut the serious threat of climate change, it has almost become a cliché and people want action now, even with the impact of a financial crisis. The government has promised real change, it was elected on the back of promises to make climate change initiatives of upmost importance, but now suddenly this has changed dramatically with the delays. Climate change has fallen off the agenda lately and focus has shifted to fixing the economy, and many are arguing, Mr Flannery included, climate change initiatives must play a major part in economic recovery.
With vital issues such as climate change and a financial crisis involving the world economy, there is never one opinion or one side of a story. This is not a discussion regarding the reality of man-made climate change, it is a debate concerning the manner in which it is eliminated as a threat to the earth, and its environment. Should society implement initiatives that have a quick and immediate impact, or does a certain amount of pragmatism and realism have to be considered. Environmentalist Bjorn Lomborg has written a piece, titled 'Green energy a better bet than carbon cuts', for 'The Australian' that analyses the need to have a certain realism about how society as a whole can implement and tackle climate change solutions. Mr Lomborg states in the article "The Australian Government is to be commended for recognising the threat of climate change. Natural science has undeniably shown us that global warming is man-made and real," he then argues that to overcome the problem both issues need to be dealt with in a realistic method, "But just as undeniable is the economic science, which makes it clear that a narrow focus on reducing carbon emissions could leave future generations lumbered with major costs, without major cuts in temperatures." Varied opinion is what creates discussion on our most important issues and Mr Lomborg offers an idea that in the current timeframe is a realistic and immediate solution.
Martin O'Reilly is the chairman of the Blacktown and District Environment Group (BDEG), who claim that their aim "is to promote community and government awareness and care for the environment..." Groups such as BDEG have the honourable aim of campaigning for the environment and the issues that are shaping our world. When asked to offer his opinion on the possibility of the global financial crisis impacting upon climate change, Mr O'Reilly said: "There is a big risk of that, but I don't think that it has. Many people will consider the financial crisis an excuse to delay action on climate change, but to those people I would say the coming environmental crisis will make the current economic crisis look like a picnic," he proceeded to state his biggest fear is "...all the money that will be needed to fight climate change in the next few years has already suddenly been spent (by the government)." The opinion of Mr O'Reilly, and his organisation BDEG, is a representation of the many viewpoints in the public and scientific arena. A study conducted that supports this claim by the 'Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) in 2007, titled 'Australia's Environment:
Issues and Trends', indicates that meteorological records during the past 100 years, on a global level, have increased. The study also indicates Australia has experienced an increase in the annual temperature average; although this has not been confirmed on a national level. Mr O'Reilly concluded that the climate change crisis should not take a back seat to the economic one.
It is the 28th of March 2009, Zoran Vidic and his family are preparing for Earth Hour. Zoran has bought candles and is turning of all the power points and other areas where power is being used unnecessarily. The aim of this exercise is to promote climate change, and make people feel that even the smallest contributions they make have an influence. Zoran see's himself as a person who cares about his environment, a person who wants to leave the world in a reasonable state once his 'time is up'. He only hopes that the PM Kevin Rudd and his government keep their election promises about introducing climate change initiatives.
Borko Bliznjakovic, 31, is a banker, his industry is experiencing resentment, hate and questions from society at large over their actions. The industry at question is the financial industry, specifically banks. Mr Bliznjakovic is a relationship manager in a commercial banking team at one of the world's major banks, HSBC Bank Australia. An insight is offered into the way banks approach and should approach major issues that are discussed in society by Mr Bliznjakovic, who says: "we're all guilty of the same problems, HSBC for example is one of the first banks to sign up to the global schemes for environmental protection...but the reality is we've all got a part to play, I think banks have been part of the growth of the current industry, (of) old technology. We've leant to these companies that then produce massive power stations and you know we are all to blame in some sense," Mr Bliznjakovic continued in an analytical mood, "...but I guess (there has to be) smarter investment and lending, you have these smart investment groups and people going around only trying to invest in clean technologies and I guess some of it is moralistic as well, but even then down to environmental stuff I think the banks are starting to be careful, as to not invest in what's not socially acceptable." The financial industry has suddenly taken on the mantel of all that is wrong with society. Common sense must prevail though, with Mr Bliznjakovic bringing up a point that many have come to ignore, which is that the financial industry offers money to every aspect of society when it is needed, from this humanity makes progress.
At this current moment in time the Australian government has to help many areas of society, the financial industry is not exception. The two men Mr O'Reilly and Mr Bliznjakovic, who are at both extremes of the climate change issue and the financial crisis, respectively, agree that an understanding must be reached in order to navigate issues which will define our period in history. "I believe that the Government is trying to concentrate on both (issues)," said Mr O'Reilly, chairman of BDEG, "but there is great pressure on them to delay on climate change (initiatives) because of the economic crisis". The feeling the government is reneging on its promises or delaying them is rife, criticism is being directed from every direction. An indication of where we need to go as a society is clearly offered by many voices, when extrapolated it is evident environmentalists and members of the financial industry need each other to succeed. Simply, the future of innovation and technology is going to be green and environmentally friendly. All sectors of the finance industry will be directly involved in this innovation, with funding an inevitable requirement to move such progress forward. Mr Bliznjakovic offered an insight into how Australia can survive the global financial meltdown and how climate change can play a significant part, he said: "I think Australia is ... a smaller player globally, but we tend to punch above our weight and I think our banking system has come up better than most. Our economy, although yes we're reliant on (our) resources, is doing pretty well given that it is a recession." When pressed to elaborate, Mr Bliznjakovic concluded: "But I think we can do well at this if we don't lose sight of the fact that climate change is still a key issue, and as I said before leverage off that to become a green economy."
The Vidic family is considering buying a new car. Zoran is attempting to convince his father to buy one that is environmentally friendly. The family visits the major car dealers and searches the internet. They come to realise one thing, it is easier and cheaper to buy a car that harms the environment than one that does considerably less damage. Zoran is disappointed that his family's willingness is not rewarded. He hopes that technology will progress at a faster rate, so the average family can afford a car that helps the environment.
It is mid 2009, and the world is discussing and analysing how it will deal with the global financial crisis and climate change issues. The financial crisis is dominating the media space, the governments of major countries are spending billions and trillions of dollars to solve the crisis. While climate change initiatives are being delayed, while the 'serious' issue is being dealt with.
Scottish writer Samuel Smiles once said: "The very greatest things - great thoughts, discoveries, inventions - have usually been nurtured in hardship, often pondered over in sorrow, and at length established with difficulty," words that were said long ago still resonate in our current times.