Viv Forbes has a degree in applied science and has worked as a rouseabout, geologist,
mineral economist, public employee, company director, journalist, political gadfly and farmer.
He understands both sides of the global warming debate and has experience in forecasting and
computer models.
He knows about carbon fuels and the carbon cycle.
He has directed exploration and production of coal, oil and gas.
Like Australia, he earns income from three carbon dependent industries - coal, cattle and sheep.
He also uses cement, steel and electricity, buys diesel for his tractor and petrol for his car.
He uses trains and occasionally boards an aeroplane.
He eats carbon based foods, pays carbon fuel taxes and uses government services funded by
taxes on the carbon industries.
His superfund occasionally owns shares.
All of these interests will be harmed by carbon taxes or carbon emissions trading.
Like the great majority of Australians, he has a big vested interest in the outcome of this historic
debate and its likely effect on future energy supplies and costs.