Can we force positive change on business through innovation

All this carry on about the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), business people complaining that it will cost them more to do business or that it is going to force some business to close their doors. I believe a recent survey found that over 70% of the Australian population where willing to pay more for energy and other products if it meant a better future for our children and was beneficial to the environment. Doesn't this negate the complaints from business.

The brown coal industry, aluminium industry and the mining sector need to have a hard look at themselves and the damage they are causing, think about their own children/grand children as well as all of ours and look to change some of their business practices.

I am a business man and I am quite surprised by some of the reactions of these companies and the people who run them, I mean if people are willing to pay additional cost them pass the cost on and stop the complaining. Maybe these businesses that say they will not survive should close their doors anyway, who needs them, if they cannot find a way to their part for the environment. Maybe these people have not worked out that we only have 1 planet earth and we need to look after it.

I am truly surprised that these companies are not looking at ways they can innovate, come up with new technologies that can start to minimise their impact. Look at the solar industry, geo thermal, tidal energy, geo sequestration, wind, my god there is so much opportunity out there for these big emitter's to invest in small technology companies that are trying to make a difference.

I would like take this opportunity to congratulate the Rudd government on its recent investment in Geo Thermal, $50 million if I recall, about time. Private sector should take note and start to invest.

Can we through private investment develop some of this energy technology into base load energy??