“We also know that public concern is not the limiting factor to accelerating climate action in Australia. Ninety per cent of Australians want more action on climate change, which is very similar to the global number. But this is not trickling through to government and industry policy and action.

I’m a bit sick of this argument. Its not a realistic statistic to call upon, and its a little infantisilising in the way its deployed.

To explain,

Not Realistic

I’ve no doubt the stat is true, but it neglects the nuance and complication that’s introduced as soon as details, and real or percieved trade offs are introduced.

Its Infantisilising

Because the reader/listener is instantly deflated from their own feelings of responsibility to review their own lifestyles.

if we take out the land-use change component, our emissions are flatlining…

This is a good use of the data, acknowledging that component, but being realistic about its real effect.

Proposed Quote Rewrite

If we discount the aspiration of ninety percent of Australians wanting action on climate change we realise that our personal ambitions run up against the hard conveniences of our modern lives which we must produce societal options to overcome.