The Clean Industrial Revolution by Ben McNeil - book launch

Last night I attended the launch of Ben McNeil's new book, The Clean Industrial Revolution. I spoke to Ben a little while back in Episode 103 about climate change science and policy. Ben's background is in the science of climate change, and over the last few years he has moved from what he describes as the "diagnosis" of climate change into the "cure". The book is about how a new clean industrial revolution will not only go a long way to solving our climate change problems, but also boost economic prosperity.

Ben's argument is that economic opportunities will open up if Australia leads the clean industrial revolution, as investing in, commercialising and exporting new fuels, materials and technologies will secure Australia’s economic future. This road will make money as well as securing environmental sustainability.

Naturally enough I haven't had the chance to read the book yet, as it only came out last night, but Ben did sign it for me!

The book was launched by the former Liberal party leader and economist John Hewson. Hewson made a really interesting speech about the economic opportunities that could await were Australia to embrace clean forms of energy. He argued that although some jobs in old-fashioned carbon-burning industries may disappear, the market opened up by clean energy will create more jobs than those lost. What I found really interesting was that Hewson, a former conservative politician, was finding fault with the current Labor Government's Emmisions Trading Scheme (which IMHO is weak), but this Labor policy is stronger than the policy of his own former party. Hewson advocates a 40% reduction in carbon output by 2020 with the aim of a 90% reduction by 2050 - I can not imagine if Hewson was still in politics that he would have this opinion, unless he jumped from the Libs, passed Labor and joined the Greens! He made many comments about the powerful "pollution lobby" - those industries that are heavy polluters, such as aluminium smelting - and how they can apply a lot of pressure to governments, however if Hewson were in government, I'm sure he would have to face the political reality of his conservative party, many of whose members are climate change deniers. I think Hewson has done the opposite to Peter Garrett, former President of the Australian Conservation Foundation who is now Minister for the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Despite being one of Australia's most vocal environmental activists throughout the 1980s and 90s, these days he can not seem to take a stand on any environmental issue. He entered main-stream politics to make more of a difference but nowadays must really feel shackled by party politics!

You can read Hewson's position in his article A Carbon Economy, and The Clean Industrial Revolution is published by Allen and Unwin. Hopefully we'll get Ben on the show again and chat about his book - unfortunately last time the book was still embargoed. Ben described that interview as "his favourite to date", which is very cool!