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Climate Change
Climate change is the most serious environmental problem facing the world. Leading international scientists agree that human activity is disrupting the planet's climate systems. Fossil fuels, used for energy and transport, are major contributors to the problem. Without significant action to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels we will cause catastrophic damage to Earth’s ecosystems, triggering social and economic upheaval.
Past fossil fuel use will continue to cause problems for decades to come but there are steps we can take today to reduce long-term damage. Everyone needs to play a part - from businesses through to individuals, families and communities, and government must show leadership. But the federal government and vested mining interests are taking Australia in the wrong direction.
Instead of propping up old polluting energy sources like coal-fired and nuclear power, we need to make Australia a low carbon economy, to place Australia on a sustainable footing for the future. You will find information and resources on these campaign pages to help you play a part in making this happen.
It’s time to get serious about climate change. The Australian government should take immediate measures to reduce greenhouse pollution, including:
- Capping national emissions and establishing an emissions trading scheme;
- Setting a national standard for new electricity generators to ensure investment in clean energy and rule out polluting coal;
- Increasing the contribution of new renewable energy in Australia from less than 2% to 10% by 2010;
- Setting an energy efficiency target and implementing projects that save both energy and money; and
- Investing in safe, clean and reliable public transport.
Polar Bears Vulnerable
For the first time in history, the majestic polar bear, the world’s largest land-based carnivore, has been listed as a ‘vulnerable species at risk of extinction’ by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
Global warming is melting the Arctic ice that polar bears depend upon for survival. If this ice continues to melt at current rates, the polar bear could be extinct by the end of the century.
Think about this more, view our animation here.
See Also:
Christine Milne on Rudd's Emissions Trading Scheme
Electricity industry 'must pay own way' - The Age
Climate Change - Latest Content
No Surrender on Climate Change
On Monday, Dec 15, 2008, the Australian Greens, along with many like minded Australians were appalled at the Rudd Labor Governments announcement of a paltry 5% greenhouse gas emission target.
Greens Senator Bob Brown called the target a “global embarrassment and a recipe for global catastrophe… It is exactly where John Howard would have placed Australia in 2009" Read more.
Even the Labor Governments own climate advisor Professor Ross Garnaut described the Rudd scheme that exorbitantly compensates big polluters as “over the top”. Read more.
The Australian Greens will not surrender and will continue to campaign for a 40% target . The Greens will also initiate a Senate Inquiry into inadequacy of the 5% target. Read More
Watch a short video comparing Mr Rudd with the Howard Government’s standards.
Sign the petition against Rudd’s 5% target.
Rudd Carbon Plan Unravelling: Urgent Review Needed
The Australian Greens say the growing discontent over the Government's carbon trading scheme - including the Government's own advisor Professor Ross Garnaut - now means it's imperative that an immediate review be held of the scheme's targets and design.
Australian Greens Climate Spokesperson and Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said today's blunt assessment by Prof. Garnaut condemning compensation for big polluters as 'over the top', echoed other damning assessments from economists, scientists and environmentalists.
"The scheme is unravelling rapidly as the experts assess the detail and find it to be environmentally irresponsible, economically inefficient and actually disastrous for Australia."
Greens urge Mining Industry to wake up to threat of climate change
Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam urged the Chamber of Minerals and Energy to wake up to the imminent effects of climate change, and stop jeopardising the economic viability of their industry, as well as our future, at a Public Hearing Joint Standing Committee on Treaties into the Kyoto Protocol this morning.
Greens to initiate Senate Inquiry into inadequacy of 5% target
The Australian Greens today released draft terms of reference for a Senate Inquiry into the 5% emissions reduction target announced by Prime Minister Rudd yesterday.
The Inquiry, to be moved in the first sitting week of the new year, will examine the scientific adequacy of the 5% target in avoiding
catastrophic climate change of more than 2 degrees warming, and whether the target does enough to play a fair and responsible part in global climate action.
"The Rudd Government has chosen to make one of the most important decisions it will ever make on the basis of lobbying by polluters instead on the clear evidence," Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Climate Change Spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne, said.
Day of Action against 5% Climate Target
It's hard to find the words to express quite how atrocious yesterday's decision has been.
Here's a video that expresses what a lot of us are starting to think - that all those who voted for Kevin Rudd thinking he'd be better than John Howard on climate change were sold a lump of coal.
Tuesday the 16th of december was a day of action accross the Nation: find out what happened in your state HERE.
Rudd raises white flag of surrender on climate change
Greens campaign for 40% target
The Australian Greens will campaign for a 40 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 to save the planet from catastrophic climate change.
"Prime Minister Rudd's 5% target is a global embarrassment and a recipe for global catastrophe," Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.
