[Greens-Media] Senator Milne: Polar bear activist brings serious climate refugee message

[O'Connor, Cassy (Sen C. Milne)]

		Wednesday, 11 July 2007

		Polar bear activist brings serious climate refugee
message

		Tasmania's first unofficial climate change refugee
arrived in Hobart this morning with a mission to raise awareness about
the impact of global warming on the planet's threatened species, and on
humankind.

		Australian Greens climate change spokesperson, Senator
Christine Milne, joined a small delegation on Waterman's Dock to greet
Mr. P.Bear with the message that he is welcome in Tasmania.

		"The Arctic and the Antarctic are the frontline of
climate change.  At 40 degrees South, Tasmanians are acutely aware of
melting ice with the collapse of the Larsen B ice shelf.

		"The plight of the polar bear, struggling for existence
in a disappearing Arctic habitat, is a global symbol of human
irresponsibility on greenhouse gas emissions.

		"Unless we as a society move fast to tackle climate
change by sharply cutting carbon emissions, and reducing our energy
consumption, Mr P. Bear's kind will simply vanish in the wild, along
with threatened and vulnerable species and habitats across the globe.

		"Just as critically, climate change will affect massive
populations of people, particularly in low-lying islands and cities,
where fresh water will be harder to find, and crops will become
marginal.

		"In the not-too-distant future, Australia will be
confronted with the reality of an influx of climate change refugees from
Pacific nations and elsewhere.  We have a responsibility to help our
neighbours, and we need a plan to deal with the social, environmental
and economic challenges associated with taking in new people rendered
homeless by climate change.

		"Climate change is happening now.  Species are going to
extinction.  We can't wait until the last polar bear slips off the
melting Arctic ice cap to act.  

		"Australians must go to the ballot box this year
understanding that how they vote will impact on the survival chances of
our Pacific neighbours and our fellow species.  It is a heavy
responsibility and time is running out,"  Senator Milne said.



		Media contact:  Cassy O'Connor   03 6224 8899