website: www.climatecampaign.info
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Take Action Now |
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a Very Clear Message |
Walk Against Warming - Sydney, 2007 |
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website: www.climatecampaign.info |
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The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change delivered its final report last weekend.
It warned that the use of polluting fossil fuel energy over the next four decades
must be cut by 85%
to avoid the threat of abrupt and irreversible climate change.
"The time for doubt has passed ... if there is no action before 2012, that's too late"
Dr Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the IPCC.
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"The report contains very bad news for Australia. Climate change will have a big effect on our ability to grow food in a large part of the country. It seriously suggests ... our days of riding on a coal train are numbered. Fossil fuel exporting nations may expect lower demand and prices due to ... policies that force nations to take up new, cleaner fuel sources". (Sydney Morning Herald 19.11.07) |
Only the Greens, and some of the other minor parties, have been willing to suggest targets of this size.
However, these cuts are finally being endorsed by experts, who are also telling us we can afford them.
The report finds that the technology is available to achieve these cuts and the costs to the world economy could be as little as 0.12% of gross domestic product.
Responding to the report, Kevin Rudd said that climate change would be one of his top priorities for his first 100 days in office. If he is elected he would go to Bali for UN negotiations and set a 2020 target within six months.
John Howard spoke of the importance of getting China, the U.S. and India in a new international agreement "but you've got to have a plan that won't damage our economy" (SMH 19.11.07).
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Whichever major party you intend to support, you can vote 1 for the Greens (or one of the other minor parties advocating serious targets) in the House of Representatives to send a clear message on the priority you give to climate change. |
This applies for the Senate vote also (see our Take Action Now "How to Vote for Action on Climate Change in the Senate').
Not widely known is the fact that each first preference vote attracts $2.10 of government funding. "One million small party votes in each house is a $4.2 million big party lesson" said David Langsom, speaking on ABC Radio National Perspective 13.11.07.
Regards from the Citizens Climate Campaign Committee