Leaders get heads up on clean energy

A hot air balloon carrying the message, “No more hot air – cut pollution now!” was launched in front of Parliament House this morning by ‘giant head’ caricatures of Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard.

We were able to get this campaign off the ground thanks to your donations. You helped us raise the funds - and the balloon!

“Australians don’t want more hot air, they want to hear about big clean energy solutions in the last few days of this election campaign,” said Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) Executive Director Don Henry.

“Australia needs a real plan to make clean energy cheaper, quicker through large-scale development of solar power.

“There are more than 50 solar power stations proposed around Australia, but under current policies, only two will get built.”

Oxfam Australia climate change spokesperson Kelly Dent said Oxfam supporters wanted more investment in clean energy to help developing countries already being affected by climate change.

“The world’s poorest people are relying on Australia to replace all the hot air of this election campaign with real solutions,” Ms Dent said.

“Poor people in developing countries are being affected first and worst by climate change even though they are least responsible for it. Australia can be a regional leader and help fund the development of clean energy in poor countries.”

The balloon will fly over Parliament House every morning until the election (weather permitting). The flights were funded by ACF supporters.

ACF’s live scorecard of the parties’ environmental policies has Labor on 44 out of 100, the Coalition on 20 and the Greens on 89.