Don't be a Fossil Fool - Australia needs higher mandatory renewable energy targets

Australia has vast resources of wind and sun. We also have world-class, award-winning researchers making breakthroughs in the design of solar panels and other renewable energy technologies. The International Energy Agency predicts that coal use in the developed world will decline 17 per cent by 2030 while renewable energy will grow to 15 per cent of its total power generation by the same timein the same period. Only a fool would ignore the inevitable shift to renewable energy - it is already under way.

The MRET is now open for review. It is vital that the panel commence work quickly and conduct a thoughtful, comprehensive review with full public consultation.

The review should recommend an increase in the MRET to at least 10 per cent to create a sustainable domestic renewable industry. If the target is not increased significantly, renewables will remain a niche market, the costs will remain high and few additional jobs will be created. Australia will not develop a sustainable renewable-energy industry and will become an importer rather than an exporter of renewable-energy technologies.

The next time you hear that Australia cannot move to renewable energy sources, think back to those April fools whose descendants must be driving policy in Australia. Only fools don't change with the times.