[Greens-Media] $300 million for climate change mapping: where's the money to prevent these impacts?

[Hollo, Tim (Sen C. Milne)]

$300 million for climate change mapping: where's the money to prevent
these impacts?

Hobart, Wednesday April 11, 2007  Australian Greens Climate
Spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne said today:

"On the same day that industry leaders lament the stalled armada of coal
ships ready to load 14 million tonnes of coal at Newcastle, politicians
announce mapping of coastal and farming areas set for inundation and
devastation because of global warming. What will it take before they
make the connection?

"It's good to see the old parties finally grappling with what climate
change will mean for Australia, but when will they also take meaningful
action to reduce emissions and make a real attempt to prevent these
impacts from coming to pass?"

Senator Milne has long campaigned for mapping of climate change impacts
in Australia, and has called for a Senate Inquiry into sea level rise.
However, this must be a small part of a coherent strategy to tackle
greenhouse emissions and prevent runaway climate change.

"This mapping project will paint a stark picture for all the families
who stand to lose their homes or find them uninsurable, the farmers who
stand to lose their best land, the tourist operators who stand to lose
their livelihoods. They will be asking their Governments why they are
happy to stand back and let this happen. Where are the binding targets
to cut emissions and keep warming to manageable levels? Where are the
policies to boost renewable energy and energy efficiency, to stop
illegal logging at home, as well as overseas?

"$300 million would buy at least 100,000 solar water heaters, which
could make a substantial start to reducing emissions.

"The lower the global temperature rise, the more options we have for
adaptation. If we continue to drive the warming with deforestation and
coal exports, there will be few if any options to adapt.

"The Howard Government refuses to set targets because it knows its
policies are woefully inadequate. The ALP has targets, but won't put
detail to its policies because it that would mean facing up to the
magnitude of the task. Only the Greens have both the targets and the
policies that will put us on the path to prevent the impacts this
mapping project will reveal."

For interviews and comment, please call Tim Hollo on 0437 587 562


Tim Hollo
Media and Communications Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
Phone: + 61 3 6224 8899 (Hobart)
Phone: + 61 2 6277 3063 (Canberra)
Mobile: + 61 437 587 562
Email: tim.hollo at aph.gov.au
Skype: timhollo
Website: www.christinemilne.org.au