Strong greenhouse gas emission targets are not an indulgence to be pushed aside
during the current economic crisis, but a critical step towards building a more sustainable future.
“Recent Treasury modelling shows a national emissions trading scheme would cost households about a dollar day. It’s a small amount to pay for protecting our unique icons, such as the Murray River and Kakadu, and moving towards a clean energy economy,” Cate Faehrmann, executive director of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW said today.
“Critical decisions are being made now about Australia’s climate response, and strong action is not only affordable but within our reach.
“Next Saturday (15 November) thousands of people from all walks of life will take to the streets demanding our politicians take firm decisions on cutting the nation’s emissions. Many of them have taken personal action to reduce their impact on the environment, and they want urgent government investment in renewable energy and an effective climate response.
“The community recognises that although current financial hardships will pass, future generations will live with the far-reaching consequences of our climate decisions. Ordinary Australians want government action to end the nation’s reliance on coal power, create new green jobs and take long-term approaches to climate change.
“A week after the Walk Against Warming Australia will join the nations of the world at the international climate talks in Poland. Let’s show the rest of the planet that one of the world’s biggest polluters is ready to take responsibility for its climate future,” Ms Faehrmann said.
