[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE: Greenhouse figures expose government failure on climate change

[Willis, Katrina (Sen C. Milne)]

MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, 23 May 2006
Greenhouse figures expose government failure on climate change

The latest national greenhouse figures and a report on the pace of
climate change expose the government's failure to adequately respond to
the greatest environmental threat facing the world, the Australian
Greens said today.

Greens energy and climate change spokesperson Senator Christine Milne
said the national greenhouse figures, released today, show that
emissions from the use of electricity and transport fuels have
maintained their steep rise. 

"Since 1990 emissions from the stationary energy sector increased by a
disturbing 43.0% and transport emissions increased by 23.4%," Senator
Milne said. 

"These figures expose the Howard government's failure for a decade to
seriously address climate change. The only reason Australia has any hope
of achieving its Kyoto emissions reduction target is because of the
one-off reduction in land clearing emissions. 

"The rapid growth rates in energy emissions remain firmly entrenched
while it becomes more and more clear that global emissions need to be
substantially reduced if we are to avoid dangerous climate change.

"Minister Campbell's acknowledgement that climate change is happening
faster than we had thought is a welcome recognition of the problem but
the government does not have the policy settings to deliver the
necessary responses at a national level, while internationally it
refuses to play a constructive role.

"Had the Howard Government acted earlier, with extensive programs to
improve energy use efficiency and to promote renewable energy, we would
be much better placed today." 

Senator Milne said that revelations the government has established a
secret committee to look at nuclear power were deeply troubling,

"Prime Minister John Howard says he wants a full public debate on
whether Australia should adopt nuclear power yet his government has set
up a secret committee to examine the matter," Senator Milne said.

"The latest evidence about climate change supports the Greens' position
that nuclear power is no solution to climate change, as the government
claims. As well as being dangerous it is too slow to mobilise."

Contact: Katrina Willis 03 6234 4566 or 0437 587 562. Senator Milne is
attending an IUCN meeting overseas and is not available for further
comment. 


Katrina Willis
Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
Phone 03 6234 4566
Fax 03 6234 2144
Mobile 0437 587 562
www.christinemilne.org.au