Current energy policy in Australia is based on the arguments that greenhouse-gas emissions should be sharply reduced and that, as part of this, renewable energy should replace coal and gas for electricity generation.

Both these arguments should be challenged and a fresh approach taken to Australian energy policy.

Scientists agree that greenhouse-gas emissions contribute to global warming, but are they the major driver of warming?

This issue is hotly contested, with natural climate variations an important issue also to be considered.

Natural variations in warming and cooling are clear from the past few thousand years and are almost certainly still with us today.