[Greens-Media] Weak targets make no scientific, economic or
diplomatic sense; China, business reject Rudd-Garnaut go-slow
Hollo, Tim (Sen C. Milne)
Tim.Hollo at aph.gov.au
Mon Dec 8 11:18:19 EST 2008
Weak targets make no scientific, economic or diplomatic sense; China,
business reject Rudd-Garnaut go-slow
Hobart, Monday 8 December 2008
The Rudd Government's plans to announce weak climate targets are already
undermining global negotiations, with China and South Africa saying the
refusal to sign up to the 25-40% negotiating range could scuttle a new
global deal, the Australian Greens today.
A statement from global business leaders today will strengthen the
increasingly troubling scientific calls for Australia to act
responsibly, arguing, as the Greens have done, that investing now in
reducing emissions will help drive the economic recovery.
"Far from being responsible, the Rudd Government is being reckless,"
Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Climate Change Spokesperson, Senator
Christine Milne, said.
"Weak emissions reduction targets make no scientific, economic or
diplomatic sense. They risk sending tripping critical climate tipping
points, will see Australia struggle economically, and will only
encourage other countries around the world to also go slow.
"If we are to have reasonable hope of avoiding catastrophic climate
change, Australia needs to be reducing our greenhouse pollution by at
least 40% by 2020 on our way towards a zero emissions future.
"That level of action, accompanied by similar action from other
countries around the world, will give us a decent chance of passing on a
safe climate to our children.
"Around the world, economists and policy-makers are pointing out that
investing now in renewable energy, energy efficiency, protecting
ecosystems and rolling out public transport is the most effective,
far-sighted way of pulling ourselves out of the global financial
meltdown.
"Gordon Brown and President-elect Obama are promoting a Green New Deal,
investing billions of dollars now in building a green economy. Australia
must ride this wave, instead of anchoring ourselves to the past with our
coal addiction.
"Already China and South Africa are demonstrating just how isolated
Australia will be at these talks. Both are already arguing that
Australia's refusal to sign up to the 25-40% negotiating range could
scuttle a global deal.
"Australians voted 12 months ago to move on from Howard-era climate
politics, and they will be deeply troubled to see that very little has
changed under Kevin Rudd."
Tim Hollo
Media and Communications Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
Australian Greens Deputy Leader
ph: (02) 6277 3588
mob: 0437 587 562
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