The future, our rural populations and climate change--a special issue of Rural and Remote Health.

[Extract]
In the year 2008 we have entered into an oil shock period. Now mid-year, in the last 18 months the price of a barrel of crude oil has almost tripled. There are concerns that high fuel prices are driving the world's economies into recession, although some countries have been cushioned from the full impact.

Debate about the reasons behind the rapid increase in the cost of fuel suggests, among other theories, that it is a result of demand outstripping available supply of oil. This re-focuses community attention on climate change.

Oil price rises are allegedly being driven by increasing demand in India and China. As these two economies encompass approximately 35% of the global population they are likely to become large carbon emitters, accelerating climate change and global warming. The Olympics in Beijing will be a time for the world to reflect on China's miraculous industrial progress in such a short time. The shadow to such development, however, is the potential for the new economic giant to produce greenhouse gas emissions on a massive scale. Again, climate change is on our minds.