Recent media articles have announced that well known climate sceptics will present their views on Climate Change in Noosa shortly. Naturally, such views and opinions polarise sectors of the community.

Without taking sides or arguing for or against I'd offer an opinion that it is healthy and mature to consider all aspects of the debate so that we are more well informed and can made better decisions about what interests us and fits with our beliefs and values.

There is a quotation that goes something like, 'The sign of a first rate mind is the ability to hold two opposing views simultaneously.' Under the objectives and values of our biosphere, we all need to consider and respect that some will not always agree with certain views - ours or others, but they have a perfect right to hold those views.

Informed debate also allows people to change their views by slight modification or a completely opposite swing. This happens in politics, over community issues and in personal relationships. So it is with important and emotive issues such as climate change.

It is important in our biosphere that tolerance of difference and opposing views is respected and valued as part of informed and balanced debate. If we all agreed, all the time, on all things, life would be pretty boring.

Cheers, Michael