Addressing the impact of climate change on endangered species and their habitat is the best way for the Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett to protect our wildlife from extinction, according to the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
“Scientists are telling us that up to a quarter of our plants and animals will not survive a global temperature increase of more than 1.5 to 2 degrees,” Nature Conservation Council of NSW executive director Cate Faehrmann said today.
“Earlier this year, researchers reported that increasing carbon dioxide levels in our oceans are already interfering with the ability of some marine life to build their shells.
“The most effective way the Government can protect our endangered species and ecological communities is to strengthen the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme’s current emissions beyond its 5% target, which will not stop climate change reaching the point of no return for many species.
“As one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, it is critically important we give our plants and animals the best chance of adapting to and surviving under climate change.
“The Government must stop handouts to big polluters and start taking urgent, strong action on greenhouse gases to reduce the number of wildlife extinctions in our lifetime and beyond,” Ms Faehrmann said.
