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For those of us concerned about climate change, the recent 2020 Summit has been something of an anti-climax.
So far there have been only vague 'motherhood' statements reported:
"Government would use all its tools - spending, tax, regulation and investment - to tackle
pressing environmental issues such as climate change" (Sydney Morning Herald 21.4.08).
However, delegate Anna Rose, representing the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, claims -
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"The coal industry used the Summit to push their agenda through an organised attempt – strategically in the lead-up to the Federal budget – to position so-called 'clean coal' as the solution to climate change, and in need of more Federal subsidies" even advocating the abolition of the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET), claiming that it was "unfair" to 'clean coal' (newmatilda.com 21.4.08).
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A recent report by The Climate Group, an alliance of commercial and scientific experts, states:
- NSW power stations and vehicles pumped out more than 24 million tonnes of greenhouse gas in the first quarter of this year, 8% higher than the same period last year.
- Coal-fired power stations are the biggest greenhouse polluters in the energy sector.
- The message from these figures is that emissions are still going up, when they really need to be going down.
'It's pretty clear that we can't have any more coal-fired power stations,
and in fact we need to be closing down the ones we have"
said Rupert Posner, Australian Director of the Group (SMH 14.4.08).
"The world's newspapers are heavy with grim headlines of food riots, food shortages
and escalating food prices…Australia's farmers, politicians and citizens face
confronting challenges, not the least of which is climate change, that may
decrease rainfall in critical food-growing regions"
warns Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director,
UN Environment Program (SMH 21.4.08).
The recent Climate Institute's Climate of the Nation Report shows that the majority of Australians want the Federal Government to take urgent and compelling action on climate change:
- 74% of Australians believe that any new electricity generation should come from clean energy and want Australia to become a world leader in renewable energy
- 89% want the Government to subsidise solar panels for 1 million homes to help generate solar power
- More than 60% want to cut subsidies that encourage fossil fuel industries such as coal, gas and oil
- 45% want to reduce the size of the coal industry (SMH 14.4.08).
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Australia's policies on climate change should be based on the best available science, and aim to minimise the risks of the worst climate change impacts. The protection of the coal industry's dominant position in the energy marketplace must not be allowed to over-ride these considerations.
We have prepared a message that can be sent to the Prime Minister.
However you cannot email him, you will need to go to his website and fill out a form.
Click here to go to the Prime Minister's website. Then fill-out the form and cut-and-paste the message below.
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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.
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The recent Climate of the Nation Report shows that the majority of Australians want the Federal Government to take urgent and compelling action on climate change.
Most Australians believe that any new electricity generation should come from clean energy. They want Australia to become a world leader in renewable energy and want the Government to subsidise solar panels to help generate solar power.
More than 60% want to cut subsidies that encourage the fossil fuel industries.
With grim headlines of food riots, food shortages and escalating food prices around the world, it is clear that time for real action is running out.
The above figures show that your Government would have the support of the country for strong action to increase renewable energy initiatives and reduce reliance on coal.
When will your Government introduce a firm interim Mandatory Renewable Energy Target for 2010?
What other policies will your Government introduce to reflect the clear will of the people on renewable energy and reduction of the coal industry?
(your name)
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Regards from the Citizens Climate Campaign Committee
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Walk Against Warming - Sydney, 2007