[Greens-Media] Tassie Forest Burns are Climate Crimes - N McKim MP

[Tasmanian Greens MPs]

FOREST BURNS ARE CLIMATE CRIMES
Tasmanian Greens MP Nick McKim
Deputy Leader and Climate Change Spokesperson

Saturday, 19 April 2008

The Tasmanian Greens today accused Forestry Tasmania of climate
vandalism as Tasmania's skies are once again stained with smoke from
so-called regeneration burns.

Greens Deputy Leader and Climate Change Spokesperson Nick McKim MP said
that the smoke was a visual reminder of the massive carbon emissions
caused by Tasmania's out-of-control forest industry, which he said was
continuing to be part of the climate problem rather than being part of
the solution.

"In this day and age there is simply no excuse for the kind of climate
vandalism represented by these burns, which are destroying biodiversity
and contributing to the greatest environmental catastrophe facing
mankind."

"There is no doubt that Tasmania's forest sector has the potential to
become part of the solution to climate change rather than part of the
problem, but this would require a significant re-setting of goals, which
is unlikely to occur under Paul Lennon and the woodchip millionaires who
currently control forest policy settings," Mr McKim said.

"Unless we take urgent action climate change will result in misery on a
scale never seen in human history, and it is outrageous that the forest
industry in Tasmania continues to contribute to climate change with such
impunity."

"These so-called regeneration burns unnecessarily release massive
amounts of carbon, which in this day and age can be considered as
nothing more than climate crimes."

"There is no doubt that once a cost is attached to carbon, Tasmania's
forests will be worth more as carbon banks than as woodchips and smoke,
and Forestry Tasmania should start work on a long-term strategy to save
Tasmania's forests for the good of our environment and our economy."

Mr McKim said that until Premier Paul Lennon takes action to reduce
carbon emissions from forest sector his claims to be a national leader
on climate change will continue to be exposed as pure rhetoric.

Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens,
         (03) 6233 8300 <http://www.tas.greens.org.au>