Climate change on a global scale has been described as ‘the mother of all environmental issues’, with many scientists warning of the dire consequences already facing us, even if remedial action is undertaken immediately. - It is almost certainly the largest, most difficult environmental challenge the world now faces. - And it has also provided the Australian federal government with one of its most awkward political issues - with the nation being transformed in the eyes of many from a world environmental leader into an international pariah. - Running from the Storm is a timely book from one of Australia’s most prominent commentator on the issue. - It provides a lively, comprehensive and provocative account of the key issues that affect climate change policy in Australia. - It details the many policy failures, the murky politics of climate change, the corruption of the policy process, the influence of the fossil-fuel industries on our politicians and policy makers, and the ethical issues that underpin the public debate. - All of these are discussed in the context of the momentous international developments before and after the landmark Kyoto Protocol in December 1997.