The Wire

Environmental groups and scientists have hit out today at the Prime Minister’s plans for tackling the problem of climate change. In an address yesterday to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA), John Howard raised concerns about the moves by Australian state government’s to start a green house gas emission-trading scheme. He also raised concerns about the economic cost Australia would face if it sought to reduce green house gases and positioned nuclear energy as an antidote to global warming. But critics have argued that Australia has more to lose than gain if it relies on nuclear energy – not only because it pollutes the environment but also because of its high cost.