Via Simon, I heard about the Great Australian Internet Blackout. While trying to keep up with the great disaster that Stephen Conroy has been peddling, I've also been hoping it will just go away. Well, it doesn't look like it's going to go away, and Australia might be joining China and Iran in censoring the intarwebs for their citizens.

In protest, this site will be participating in the Great Australian Internet Blackout. What does that mean? Come back sometime between 25 to 29 January to find out.

The Federal Government is pushing forward with a plan to force Internet Service Providers to censor the Internet for all Australians. This plan will waste millions of dollars and won’t make anyone safer.

1. It won't protect the children
2. We will all pay for this ineffective solution
3. It sets a dangerous precedent

Great Australian Internet Blackout

If you accept that the world faces a significant challenge in the shape of climate change, and given the scientific evidence on the issue, in my humble opinion you'd be a fool if you didn't accept it, there is no doubt that Australia will suffer more than most developed nations. Our Prime Minister himself has said Australia is already the hottest and driest continent in the world, so any increase in average temperatures is going to hurt us significantly (and economically).

Some have argued that, as Australia only emits 1.2% of greenhouse gases worldwide, we should act cautiously to protect our economy. Of course 1.2% still puts us in the top 20 overall emitters, and if you look at the per capita figures we make it into the top 10.

Let me just recap.

1. Australia has more to lose from climate change than most countries.
2. We don't actually emit that much ourselves.

HELLO!! ALL WE HAVE IS LEADERSHIP!!

Australia must present a strong policy response to climate change, and must lobby strongly worldwide for other countries to act as well. We have an enormous amount at stake, and our leadership is all we have.