While we cannot turn back time to implement the policy retrospectively, the opportunity is still there to be seized, if only our political leaders have the courage to do so, writes The Australia Institute director Noah Schultz-Byard.

South Australia’s coastline is famed for its extraordinary biodiversity.

But now it bears the scars of a climate-fuelled algal bloom crisis.

At least 450 marine species have died, scores of coastal communities and businesses are reeling, and governments at all levels are failing to meet the severity of the moment.

So why aren’t those who are the most responsible for the disaster, and the most able to pay, being made to foot the bill?

Currently, the only funding being made available in response to the algal bloom is a combined $28 million from the State and Federal Governments.

This funding represents welcome relief for some, but it is a mere drop in the ocean compared to the scale of damage that is being done to our marine environment and the coastal communities that rely on healthy waters to survive.

It also means the taxpayer foots the bill, when it is the fossil fuel companies causing the damage – damage that is on going.

We know that climate disasters are costing us billions of dollars every year and driving up the cost of........

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