Rudd must heed scientists’ warning on inadequate targets

Christine Milne
THE Rudd Government must heed the warning of Australia’s leading climate scientists and significantly strengthen its greenhouse emissions target, the Australian Greens said today.

The scientists’ warning came in submissions to the Senate Select Committee on Climate Policy, established by the Greens and Opposition, which began hearings today. The inquiry has received over 13,500 submissions – the second highest on record – from a deeply concerned public demanding strong action.

“The emperor of the Rudd Government’s emissions target clearly has no clothes,” said Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne.

“It is very embarrassing for the Rudd Government that Australia’s leading climate scientists are telling them that their targets are weak and completely inadequate to the task.

“The Government has to answer a very simple question – what is the point of having an emissions trading scheme if it will not go anywhere near to preventing climate catastrophe?”

The scientists’ panel at today’s hearings told the inquiry that Australia’s emissions must be in the order of 25-40% below 1990 levels by 2020 in order to play any fair role in the global effort to prevent climate catastrophe.

“The scientists tell us that, because Australia pollutes more per capita than almost any other country in the world, we must in fact reduce our emissions faster than everyone else if we are to play our fair part in tackling climate change.

“The Government must take the scientists’ warning very seriously and move swiftly to adopting the kind of emissions reduction targets that will actually prevent climate catastrophe.”

The submissions, which are not yet on the Inquiry’s website, are available on request.

http://www.christinemilne.org.au/| www.GreensMPs.org.au