Australia should listen to Blair on climate change
Date: 27-Mar-2006
Australian MPs should heed British Prime Minister Tony Blair's message to the Australian Parliament today that climate change is an urgent global problem that demands an immediate, measurable response.
Mr Blair told the House of Representatives today: "There will be no resolution without a clear, disciplined framework for action, with measurable outcomes. And there will be no forgiving of any of us if we do not pay attention to the degrading and polluting of our planet."
ACF Executive Director Don Henry said Mr Blair's message of "global alliances for global values" should ring alarm bells for Australian MPs who are uncomfortable about Australia's current approach on greenhouse pollution.
"Mr Blair and other international leaders are showing the way on climate change, by setting targets and timetables to reduce emissions and setting a price signal on carbon. Australia should be joining the leadership pack," Mr Henry said.
"Australia is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, so it is in our national interest to take action now.
"Tony Blair has set a target to cut greenhouse pollution by 60 per cent by 2050; we should also be looking to make deep cuts. It's the right thing to do - ethically, environmentally and economically.
"As the recent review by Sir Nick Stern of the UK Treasury found early action to cut greenhouse pollution will reduce economic shocks.
"Australia will have to go down this path eventually; we shouldn't wait until it will cause us massive economic pain.
"We can avoid dangerous climate change but we need to start taking action now by committing to a binding 2020 target and significantly increasing our investment in proven renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency."