There’s been remarkably little critical debate on the Left about what Gillard’s carbon price will actually achieve. Environmental groups are uniformly spruiking it, perhaps sensing the package is the last conceivable near-term chance of climate action.

According to our writer Guy Pearse, the conservative positions of both sides of politics on environmental issues should make us sceptical about claims that a radical shift towards a ‘clean energy future’ is underway.

When, as Pearse surprisingly reveals, just two like-minded individuals are key to funding most major green groups, it’s little wonder that the climate movement is cheering as one and that the debate is mired in party-political bias.

A more nuanced discussion of Gillard’s plan is required, and hopefully the September Monthly will help that along.

Ben Naparstek

Editor