Citizens Climate Campaign - Take Action Now - After Bali

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Citizens Climate Campaign	Take Action Now
After Bali - Where To From Here?	Walk Against Warming - Sydney, 2007

At Bali the new Australian government:

Ratified the Kyoto Protocol
Agreed to the Bali Road Map. This will launch formal negotiations to have a deal signed by 2009, with a long-term global goal for emissions reduction, and will include:

Agreements on how a country can cut its emissions by stopping deforestation,
Measures to transfer clean energy technology to developing countries,
Ways to help poorer countries where climate change is already happening.

Played a vital role in keeping important scientific advice (from the UN's peak science body) on the need for the developed world to make deep cuts to its greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 in a secondary document, that will become part of the Bali road map. The US had previously succeeded in removing this information from the main text.

Minister for Climate Change, Penny Wong, played a pivotal role in the final negotiations and was widely praised by foreign delegations, officials and environmental groups.

However, as Guy Pearse says:
"Kevin Rudd deserves the Kyoto kudos, but as his Bali honeymoon dies down, we'll see just how serious Labor is about climate change" (Crikey - 25.11.07).

Prior to the election, Labor committed to a 50% emissions reduction target by 2050. At Bali, Kevin Rudd refused to set a binding 20% by 2020 target until after he reviews the report by economist Ross Garnaut, expected by mid 2008, although he did commit to an interim target. We can expect him to be lobbied furiously by the Greenhouse Mafia to avoid this second binding target.

In the time between now and the Garnaut Report, the Federal Government could take immediate action to demonstrate its strong commitment by raising the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET), by which the Government tells power companies just how much renewable energy they must buy.

This creates a market, which gives renewable energy industries the certainty they need to develop.

It would cost the government nothing.

Finally, if you are considering signing up for Green Power, you might like to check out the credentials of the various providers at Green Electricity Watch before you make a decision. It is important to find a company that is offering 100% NEW green power – this will ensure that the source is wind, solar or biomass, not just existing hydro.

We have prepared an email to Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, Minister for Climate Change and Water.

To do this, you will have to go to www.aph.gov.au/Senate/senators/homepages/contact.asp?id=00AOU, fill-out the form and cut-and-paste the following message. (This is the only way you can send an email to Senator Wong.)

Dear Ms Wong,

I would like to offer my congratulations on the success of your negotiations at the United Nations Climate Change summit in Bali. It was very encouraging to see Australia finally ratify the Kyoto Protocol, and join with the global community to grapple with the complex issues involved in dealing with climate change.

I note that prior to the election, Labor committed to a 50% emissions reduction target by 2050. At Bali, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd refused to set a binding 20% by 2020 target until after the report by economist Ross Garnaut. I await this report with high expectations of a speedy and effective response, as the pace of climate change is already exceeding the predictions of IPPC scientists.

In the interim before the Garnaut Report, as evidence of Labor's strong commitment, will your Government take immediate action to raise the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET), to give renewable energy industries the certainty they need to develop? It would cost the government nothing but would send a very positive signal.

(your name)

Regards from the Citizens Climate Campaign Committee