Commentators have paid particular attention to Robert Shapiro's argument in favour of a carbon tax.

In the Australian Financial Review economics editor Alan Mitchell noted in his weekly column:

Australia is on the verge of some serious decisions about climate change and it’s time for economists to inject more reality into the debate. Last week was not a bad start. The Committee for Economic Development of Australia staged a business conference on climate change. Among the speakers were the economists Robert Mendelsohn and Robert Shapiro from the United States and Warwick McKibbin and Brian Fisher from Australia ... All had serious criticisms of the popular wisdom surrounding climate change ...

In a second weekly column Mitchell quoted extensively from the conference address of Brian Fisher, who argued the task of greenhouse gas reduction is greater than most people imagine.

In the Sydney Morning Herald broadcaster Michael Duffy wrote:

Cap-and-trade is supported by pretty well everyone else, including many groups far more concerned about climate change than the Coalition. But there is an alternative, the carbon tax, and a growing number of economists are saying a tax would reduce carbon emissions more effectively than cap and trade. Last week the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia released a report that included a powerful argument in favour of a tax. Whoever wins the election ... this is a question that would be well worth revisiting.

Duffy also interviewed Dr Shapiro on his ABC radio program Counterpoint.

Online reports:

• ABC News: Climate change accelerating, top scientists warn
• ABC AM: Calls for retirement age to be extended (includes audio)
• Sydney Morning Herald: Climate debate we forgot to have (commentary by Michael Duffy)
• Counterpoint interview with Robert Shapiro (includes audio)
• The Australian: Responding to change is a long-term risk strategy
• The Australian: Renewable energy pledges off target (commentary by Alan Wood)
• Business Spectator: The great carbon debate