GIVING THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT

Bob Brown reckons the government must do more to fight climate change because that's what the people want:

"I would say to Kevin Rudd, listen to the people of Australia," he said.

"I think you'll find more ecological wisdom in our average primary school than you'll find round your Cabinet table."

Brown is just slightly out of touch:

A new survey suggests the commitment of Australians to tackling climate change might be waning.

The Lowy Institute surveys the attitudes of Australians to foreign policy issues every year.

This year, climate change has slipped in ranking from first to fifth most important.

Those surveyed still consider both global warming and water shortages critical threats to the country.

But tackling climate change itself has fallen as a foreign policy goal, replaced by job security and strengthening the economy.

The poll also revealed that a majority of people are unwilling to pay more than $10 extra per month for greener electricity.

Brown's probably right about the lack of wisdom round the Cabinet table, however. I say give primary kids the vote.