Emission targets badly missed: Our culture of delusion must change

Last year we celebrated one of the foundation events of this Republic. During the year some people questioned the validity and outcomes of 1916. Those reservations were drowned like a litter of unwanted pups in a sea of flag-waving and cheers. 

Doubters were dismissed by green orthodoxy. That aversion to comprehensive, objective assessment has become our default position so it is not surprising that we have embraced an image of ourselves that may not be widely recognised beyond these shores.

We present ourselves a modern, progressive society with high ideals informed by imagination, energy and pragmatism. We, after all, voted for marriage equality.