The aim of the summit was to adopt a set of campaign objectives for 2009, in the run-up to the next global climate negotiations in Copenhagen at the end of the year.

Ultimately Australia's survival from the threat of climate change will depend on what the other countries of the world are prepared to do.

As the developed country most threatened by global warming, we cannot expect these countries to set higher global targets for carbon emissions if we are prepared to set such a low one (5-15%), and to have it already legislated before the Copenhagen negotiations take place.

Nor can we expect to have a say in what those targets should be.

Australia will not be able to participate in setting higher global targets at Copenhagen if we have already legislated our own low target.

Together with leaders of all the peak environment groups, the National Climate Change Adviser, Professor Ross Garnaut has damned the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme in its present form as a threat to the environment, the national budget and global prosperity.

He has called on the government to keep open the option of a more ambitious cut to carbon emissions by setting an upper limit of 25% in its target of 5-15% by 2020.

Professor Garnaut, the Government's own advisor, has also strongly criticised the government's plan for compensation of the biggest polluters, saying "Never in the history of Australian public finance has so much been given, without public purpose, by so many, to so few" (Sydney Morning Herald 20.12.08).

Dr Clive Hamilton, in the opening session of the Climate Summit, said that the CPRS was "as if the government had announced a new tax on cigarettes, but exempted smokers from paying."

There is little incentive for the renewable energy industry in the CPRS with cheap coal-fired electricity virtually given a free ride.

Also, the CPRS in its current form totally removes any incentive for individuals to actively reduce their emissions (e.g. by installing solar panels), as by doing so they will simply make it easier for polluting industries to increase their emissions.

The Climate Action Summit proposed that climate action groups target their local MPs and voice their opposition to the current form of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

Various media reports suggest that backbenchers are feeling the pressure in their electorates and we need to step it up to ensure the CPRS scheme is not adopted in its present form before Copenhagen in December.

Click here to find contact details of your local federal MP - by their name or electorate.

Points to mention include -

It would be especially powerful if you could talk (or write in your email) about your own individual actions to lower your emissions and how you fear that these actions will become pointless.

Regards from the Citizens Climate Campaign Committee