[Greens-Media] "Howard has been 'foolish indeed'" - Greens

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Sunday, 3 June 2007

"Howard has been 'foolish indeed'" - Greens

In a speech stunningly devoid of any description of the impact of
climate change on Australia's environment, cities, agriculture or
economic wellbeing, Prime Minister Howard today put off real action for
at least another five years.

"John Howard simply doesn't understand climate change," Greens Leader
Bob Brown said today.

"His comment that it would 'foolish indeed' to ignore the evidence on
climate change condemns his own foolishness for the past 11 years in
failing to tackle climate change."

"Far from leaving our children 'debt-free', Howard is racking up a debt
of more bushfires, more intense droughts, a bleached Great Barrier Reef
and no ski-fields for Australia's children - as if these are no-cost
factors."

"Not once in his entire speech did the Prime Minister talk about what
the science demands in response to climate change. He ignored the
environment and spoke only of what the coal, aluminium and aviation
sectors are prepared to accept," Greens Climate Change spokesperson,
Senator Christine Milne said.

"Climate change is not going to wait for the Liberal party. Keeping
global temperature rises to 2C or less requires rigorous action now and
it is Prime Minister Howard who has been 'missing in action' and who is
'steeped in recklessness and symbolism'."

"Australia can trust the Greens to face the reality of climate change
and to make decisions that will truly give our children hope," Senator
Milne said.

Further information: Prue Cameron 0408 473 379
                                       Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603
                                        


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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185
ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au