Since this warming is likely to cause problems for us in future, we should act to keep ourselves safe. The Renewable Energy Target (RET) was set up by the federal government to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions.

The target was 20 per cent of energy production to be from renewables by 2020. Since then, small-scale generators (like roof-top solar) have flourished and all of us have improved our energy efficiency.

Our electricity use has dropped. It now appears that, at the current rate of development, we would achieve 27 per cent renewable energy by 2020.

The government sees this "overshoot" as a bad thing. As a result, it is reviewing the RET and there is a distinct possibility that it will reduce the target to a "real 20 per cent" of energy production.

If this happens, there will be reduced incentives for people to install renewable energy systems. Businesses that supply these systems are already pulling back and leaving our shores.

Plans for large-scale renewable energy projects are "on hold".

We should reduce our emissions as much as possible.

This means that we should transition towards using renewable sources of energy as soon as possible. The 2020 RET was a milestone in reaching 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050.

The fact that the current program is likely to "overshoot" that milestone is an indication that the system works.

Our aim should now be higher. The last review showed that the RET delivers significant investment and jobs, meets its stated targets and achieves these benefits at a very low cost. The only winner if the RET is lowered or dropped is the fossil fuel industry (coal, oil and gas).

In conclusion, we should raise the RET as soon as possible. In the short term, the target should at least be retained.