2016-03-17
New polling shows how out-of-touch the old parities are with the community on global warming, coal and the Great Barrier Reef.
It comes on the back of the good news that global climate pollution has plateaued while economic output has increased, thanks to renewable energy, according to the International Energy Agency.
“The world is embracing job-rich clean energy to address global warming and it's starting to work," Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens climate change spokesperson, said.
“But in Australia both the major parties are addicted to coal, at the behest of their fossil fuel donors, although this is at odds with community expectations.
“The Liberal federal government and the Queensland Labor government are pushing the Southern Hemisphere's largest coal mine, against the wishes of local Indigenous people, even though 65 per cent of Australians are worried about the impact on global warming and the Great Barrier Reef.
“Even though the Queensland Labor government are itching to give Adani Mining their mining lease, the Carmichael mega mine is a climate disaster which doesn’t make economic sense, with 11 international banks and two domestic banks indicating they won't provide finance.
“The community and investors know we have job-rich renewable alternatives that don't cost out Great Barrier Reef or cook the planet.
“Nearly half of Australians say that global warming and renewable energy will influence the way they vote at the federal election.
“Australians are looking for the courage and vision that will save our very way of life from extreme weather and will harness the clean energy employment opportunities other countries are embracing," Senator Waters said.