"And forests will be crucial" - Brown
The Minister for Climate Change, Penny Wong, is on the right track, but has a lot further to go to reorient Australia's economy and society to tackle global warming, Australian Greens leader Bob Brown said today.
"Minister Wong's speech today is on the right track, but her words are at odds with the government's actions. For example, Peter Garrett's solar rebate fiasco," Senator Brown said.
But post-Garnaut report the real five-way test for government action will be:
1. Targets. Will they be set at least 40% reduction of 1990 levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, and 90% by 2050?
2. Forests. Will the 10% reduction in national emissions achievable by ending native forest logging be a priority?
3. Greens EASI scheme: Will all 8 million Australian households be retrofitted with insulation, solar hot water and other measures to reduce emissions and power bills?
4. Alternatives. Will there be a rapid transition to energy efficiency, base-load solar and geothermal power to obviate the need for coal-fired power?
5. Public transport. Will there be funding for cheap, fast and reliable public transport for all cities?
Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603