2019-11-22
We’re in the midst of a climate emergency around the world – and here in Australia we know what we need to do to step up the fight.
By Adam Bandt
Our government must act – before we face untold suffering.
You and I know it. And over a thousand jurisdictions in 19 countries have declared it. Even the Pope has called it.
Now, more than 11,000 scientists have issued the bold and clear statement: “Scientists have a moral obligation to clearly warn humanity of any catastrophic threat … We declare clearly ... and unequivocally that planet Earth is facing a ‘climate emergency’."
Their words are unprecedented. But not surprising.
The scientists went even further, saying, “The climate crisis has arrived” and is “accelerating faster than most scientists expect”. They issued a stark warning: the world’s people will face “untold suffering due to the climate crisis” unless we take urgent action.
We know we’re in an emergency, and that we need to make urgent changes here in Australia, as one of the world’s largest coal exporters. That’s why using the word ‘emergency’ matters so much. And why declaring a ‘climate emergency’ is so important. More than the word ‘change’ it makes it crystal clear that the emergency must be responded to – now.
And our response, if we are to prevent untold suffering, must start with government.
With support from incredible climate champions around Australia, the Greens have been taking our coal-hugging government to task.
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We condemn both of the major parties for listening to their big donors in the fossil fuel industry, instead of the scientists.
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We demand that the Morrison government make a serious plan to break their coal addiction and build a multi-billion dollar clean energy export industry to replace coal exports.
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We’ve shown that 180,000 jobs will be established by creating new industries, jobs and supply chains right across the economy.
The science is clear. If you don’t have a plan to get out of coal, you don’t have a plan for the climate crisis.
Yet both sides are more in love with coal than ever!
We won’t stand by and watch “untold suffering” take place before our eyes. And we know you won’t either. So we need to act together.
That’s what our Climate Champions program is about – it’s how we’ll build a war-chest to fight for real climate action. Already, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we’ve run a huge campaign to force parliament to tell the truth and declare a climate emergency… and this is just the beginning.
We’re reaching a critical turning point, and we don’t know which way it will go. What we do know is that we must keep stepping up our fight. We must keep backing the science and the scientists, who are telling us:
Our house is on fire.
We are in an emergency.
The government must tell the truth.
We must act now.
From all of us here, we’d like to say THANK YOU to our Climate Champions. If you haven’t signed up yet, and would like to join them in powering the fight for our lives, become a Climate Champion today!
Thank you for being with us.
Adam Bandt is the Australian Greens’ climate change spokesperson.