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Waiting for Garnaut	Walk Against Warming - Sydney, 2007

At the Bali conference on climate change, Kevin Rudd refused to set a binding 20% by 2020 target until after the review of the report by economist Ross Garnaut, timed initially for mid 2008, now expected in September.

An interim review of Professor Garnaut's report has now been published, in which he recommends a much tougher and speedier response to climate change.

Professor Garnaut said that Australia had the most to lose among developed countries if aggressive action is not taken to reduce emissions almost immediately.

Emission cuts of between 70% and 90% could be needed to prevent dangerous levels of climate change.

Although the Labor government wanted the news to be bad enough to justify their plan to slash greenhouse gas emissions, they clearly did not want it to be this bad.

Now Climate Change Minister Penny Wong has responded by saying dismissively:

"the review is just one of many inputs"
and that
"the government is not intending to push for deeper emission
cuts than the 60% by 2050 target it announced last year".

(Sydney Morning Herald 22/23.2.08)

Professor Garnaut wants targets set this year, for 2020 and 2050, and says that Australia must break the link between economic growth and the emission of greenhouse gases.

Professor Garnaut stated that Australia:

"can have an important role in helping the world set targets for greenhouse gas emissions and working out how to meet them.

To do that, Australia must be tough on itself".

(Sydney Morning Herald 23.2.08)

A copy of the prepared email to Prime Minister and/or Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, Minister for Climate Change and Water is shown below.

Including comments of your own would show your personal concern about this issue, and would make it look different from the hundreds of others we hope will be sent.

The Australian government justified holding back on setting interim emission targets at the Bali climate conference by saying it was waiting for the Garnaut Report.

I am disappointed that now the interim report has been published, the Government is saying that it is "only one of many inputs" they will consider.

What are these other inputs that will influence the government's decisions? Can you assure me that the self-styled "Greenhouse Mafia" (identified by Dr Guy Pearse in his book "High and Dry") will not be among them?

Professor Garnaut wants targets set this year for 2020 and 2050. I understand that you will not do this until the full report is released in September. There are however actions that could be initiated in the interim, such as increased funding to Australian initiatives in renewable energy, as they are clearly going to be a vital part of Australia's energy future.

What such actions is your government planning?

(your name)

Regards from the Citizens Climate Campaign Committee