News from the South....

We all know the famous Lifeman quote, "Yes, but not in the South". Today's election results from Australia, however, may have rendered this quote irrelevant to discussions on climate change. With apologies to our foreign correspondent, I write to report that Kevin Rudd has defeated four-term incumbent, and "loyal Bushie", John Howard to take the reigns as Australia's Prime Minister. Australia's economy thrived under Howard, but the country's policies regarding Iraq and climate change have alienated the international community of late. Rudd has promised to pull the Australian troops out of Iraq, and to sign the Kyoto Protocol as a first step in a commitment to stabilize Australia's GHG emissions. While signing Kyoto is largely a symbolic maneuver, it would grant Australia a greater say at the upcoming UN talks in Bali. As part of his platform, Rudd also promised to enact long-term emission reduction targets. This changing of the guard should further isolate the stubborn United States in foreign policy matters, and with Rudd pledging to take action to combat anthropogenic climate change, will also pressure the U.S. to join the rest of the developed world in agreeing to post-Kyoto climate responsibilities. Both welcome developments!