Australia, though a smallish country in population, plays a key role in the current climate change crisis due to:
Its very high rate of carbon emissions per capita, ranking it 13th in the world for overall emissions, its continuing reliance on massive coal exports (and plans to expand them), its vulnerability as a dry, "sunburnt" country, and not least the obstinate refusal of both the major governing political parties to make Australia a responsible global citizen and take action to reduce emissions. Joelle Gergis eloquently describes the background to this scenario by a scientific analysis of the impact on Australia of climate change - but also argues passionately for government to listen to the scientists and act now to avoid contributing further to a hellish deterioration of the global ecology. ( )