[Greens-Media] UN report turns focus back onto NSW coal industry

[John Kaye]

UN report turns focus back onto NSW coal industry

Media Release: 7 April 07

The release of the second report of the Intergovernmental Panel on 
Climate Change (IPCC) leaves the Iemma government with no alternative 
but to reject the opening of new coal mines and the building of new 
coal-fired power stations, according to Greens NSW MP-elect John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: "This report changes the way we should view the climate debate.

"Any doubt about the need to plan for a low emissions future has now 
been completely removed.

"Coal mining and burning in Australia accounts for about 40% of this 
nation's emissions. In addition the burning of Australia's exported 
coal in other countries contributes more global warming than 
everything we do in this country.

"NSW is in the hot seat.

"The Iemma government is facing a plan to build another coal fired 
power station and a raft of new coal mining proposals that would 
increase exports.

"If the Labor government approves these plans, NSW will have turned 
its back on the evidence presented in the IPCC report.

"It will have undermined efforts to bring emissions down in other 
countries and it will have denied this state the opportunity to 
create  tens of thousands of jobs in renewable energy.

"If responding to climate change is to be more than just window 
dressing for the Iemma government, they must act now to stop the 
expansion of the coal industry and the building of new coal-fired 
power stations.

"If creating a strong economic future for this state is a priority 
for the Labor government, then they must start now on a developing a 
renewable energy manufacturing industry," Dr Kaye said.


For more information:       John Kaye 0407 195 455


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John Kaye
phone: 0407 195 455
email: john at nsw.greens.org.au
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