[Greens-Media] COAG about climate politics, not climate action

[Hollo, Tim (Sen C. Milne)]

COAG about climate politics, not climate action

Australian Greens Climate Change Spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne,
said today:

"Today's COAG outcomes make it painfully clear that the supposed climate
debate between our Governments at COAG is all about politics and has
nothing to do with taking action to prevent runaway climate change. How
can the Premiers and PM have any credibility on climate change when they
are making it worse by actively promoting its causes?

"Announcing a climate adaptation centre, while pushing for more coal
exports is like giving an obese child a brochure on nutrition and a
chocolate bar. The Labor leaders are talking about emissions trading and
targets, but want to protect coal profits with free emissions permits.
At least the Prime Minister is up front about not even trying to prevent
the sea level rises he is so keen to map.

"However, Mr Howard's refusal to set reduction targets because of
economic impacts fails to recognise that climate change has already had
a huge impact on the economy through drought, water shortages, bushfires
and unseasonal weather and storms.

"It is time people realised that the Prime Minister expects rural
Australians to cop the costs so that coal corporations can profit. Coal
and logging profits are guaranteed whilst farmers are forced off their
land and tourist operators watch the Great Barrier Reef die.

"The science is clear. We need to reduce our emissions by 30% by 2020
and at least 80% by 2050 if we are to have a decent chance of preventing
runaway climate change. The only way to do that is to immediately begin
the shift to a low carbon economy, boost renewable energy, energy
efficiency and public transport, and stop burning coal, oil and old
growth forests.

"Next to that scientific necessity, COAG was nothing more than
short-sighted political grandstanding."

Contact: Tim Hollo 03 6224 8899 or 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