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"The PM’s climate change fund appears to be more election-time green wash. The $637 million is in fact a drop in the ocean when compared with recent announcements by state and federal governments for investment into unproven so-called ‘clean coal’ technologies that allow polluters to continue with business-as-usual coal use and production.
”No nation can effectively deal with climate change if there is no overall target to indicate to business and individuals where we are heading. Without a target of 30% reductions by 2020 we will not lower emissions sufficiently to stop climate change.
“As part of a national effort to stop climate change, if PM Howard wants to demonstrate more than a weak concern for the environment, he must endorse the worldwide movement for action on climate change – it’s called the Kyoto Protocol.
”Kyoto is up and running with a comprehensive emissions trading scheme. Any suggestion by John Howard to start a stand alone Australian based trading scheme is just a delay tactic to appease the big coal polluters. John Howard, if he was genuinely interested in dealing with climate change, could immediately increase our renewable energy target, mandate better efficiency for appliances and cars, and ensure no more polluting coal fired power stations are built. None of this is happening.
“What is the Prime Minister waiting for? A signal from the big coal polluters that they have gotten enough coal out of the ground and now the government can start dealing with climate change?
”The climate cannot wait. Scientists tell us we have five to 10 years to turn our emissions pathway around and away from climate disaster.”
”No nation can effectively deal with climate change if there is no overall target to indicate to business and individuals where we are heading. Without a target of 30% reductions by 2020 we will not lower emissions sufficiently to stop climate change.
“As part of a national effort to stop climate change, if PM Howard wants to demonstrate more than a weak concern for the environment, he must endorse the worldwide movement for action on climate change – it’s called the Kyoto Protocol.
”Kyoto is up and running with a comprehensive emissions trading scheme. Any suggestion by John Howard to start a stand alone Australian based trading scheme is just a delay tactic to appease the big coal polluters. John Howard, if he was genuinely interested in dealing with climate change, could immediately increase our renewable energy target, mandate better efficiency for appliances and cars, and ensure no more polluting coal fired power stations are built. None of this is happening.
“What is the Prime Minister waiting for? A signal from the big coal polluters that they have gotten enough coal out of the ground and now the government can start dealing with climate change?
”The climate cannot wait. Scientists tell us we have five to 10 years to turn our emissions pathway around and away from climate disaster.”
