Under the Paris Climate Agreement we in Australia have committed to reducing our 1.5 percent of carbon emissions, yet within the same document China can pump out emissions without limits. And their emissions are more than 16 times our level.

Putting a price on carbon emissions has nothing to do with reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and saving the planet, but everything to do with making money. This is why big buisiness, bankers, CEO's of large companies, politicians such as Bill Shorten and Malcolm Turnbull all want emissions trading.

Yet, most people who are not wealthy will suffer the pain of increased prices and a fall in living standards while paying through the nose. Climate Messiah, Al Gore tours the planet leaving carbon footprints everywhere while telling everyone else to reduce their carbon footprint.

Gore makes millions from his carbon trading businesses which is why he rambles on about global warming and promotes renewable energy and pricing carbon.

Adrian Devlin, Fairy Meadow

In view of the current fossil fuel debate; here is my short personal experience as a convert to solar power. My electricity bill period 22 April 17 – 21 July 17: $533.08. In view of the rise in the cost of electricity, I contacted my electricity retailer and made arrangements to install solar panels.

At the time, I negotiated an hourly grid feed kilowatt rate of 17 cents. On 15 August 2017, a 20 panel (5.7kW 1Phase) solar system and the inverter was installed. Electricity bill period 22 July 17 – 20 October 17: $176.41. Electricity bill period 21 October 17 – 18 January 18: $30.02 credit. Yes that’s correct a $30.02 credit. Electricity bill period 19 January 18 – 19 April 18: $42.43.

In the middle of May 2018 we shifted into a retirement village and paid rent until the end of July; our electricity bill at our previous residence for period 20 April 18 – 25 July 18: $72.58 (includes a disconnection fee of $41.00). Now here is the crunch. My first bill at my new premises (same retailer) period 11 May 18 – 20 July 18: $465.47

My second: period 21 July 18 – 18 October 18: $491.45 During my solar experience, on a hot day, it would not be unusual for between 4.5 and 5 kilowatts an hour of solar energy to be released into the grid.

These are facts. Though I received an advantage—solar rate 17 cents a kWh in comparison to the normal 6 cents. My current retailer rates: Peak charges 27.9 c/kWh, Off-Peak 10.45 c/kWh

The reason retailer rates are so high is because the wholesalers (power companies) use a price formula with a variable, availability price; whereas when the power companies were state-owned, the availability price—was fixed.

Generating cost formula private: Price ($/MWh) Demand (MW) Availability (MW) variable price.

Generating cost formula state: Price ($/MWh) Demand (MW) Availability (MW) fixed price.

In a wave of excitement Prime Minister Scott Morrison tells us that he is going to cap electricity charges and save householders an average of $800 a year. Won’t happen.

John Macleod, Berry