As a planner, I know how difficult it is to forsee all eventualities in any project. In the political arena some things must done as a matter of faith. In the same way that war usually results in new developments & industries, I feel certain that a "war" on CO2 will generate new industries and opportunities. The drought may be just a cyclic phenomena, but if you travel through western NSW it sure is scary and all Howard can suggest is to pray. I think a couple of billion spent now on desalination may just be in time to save Sydney.