Rudd locks in 5pc emissions cut
(By ABC correspondent Emma Rodgers)
- Audio: Wong – you can’t please everyone (AM)
- Related Story: Wong announces $1.4b climate change fund
- Related Story: Miners warn against EU-style emissions cuts
“Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says Australia will cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 5 per cent of 2000 levels by 2020, but could make a cut of up to 15 per cent if other countries also sign up to stronger reductions.
The Federal Government has also promised around $6 billion a year in compensation and a 2.5 per cent rise in pension rates to help households cope with expected price rises when the carbon pollution reduction scheme begins in 2010.
It is estimated there will be a one-off rise in inflation of 1.1 per cent with the introduction of the scheme, and growth will slow by just 0.1 per cent a year to 2050.”
Take Action – Tell the government 5% is not enough!
3 immediate actions you can take –
1. I have just sent the letter below to Petro Georgiou, and will forward a copy to Rudd and Wong. Contact your local MP and Rudd and Wong and let them know your views too.
Petro,
The 5% emission reduction target announced by the Australian Government is totally inadequate.
The latest science, apparently ignored by the Government, indicates we are now in the midst of a climate emergency, which is likely to see global average temperatures increase by more than 2 degrees, drastic reductions in rainfall across much of Australia, and the loss of summer ice at the North Pole within 6 years.
A target of 40% reduction on 1990 levels by 2020 would have been appropriate.
Could you please convey my views, as my local MP, to the Australian Government.
Could you also ask in Parliament why, in setting this 5% target, the Australian Government is prepared to sacrifice the Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu wetlands, most of the Murray Darling basin, and snow in Australia?
Regards
2. Join the ‘Step-In’ Campaign TODAY (Tue 16) at your local MP’s office:
On Tuesday 16th of December, please join with people all around Australia as we STEP-IN to the offices of Federal Parliamentarians, to STEP-UP the campaign for real action against climate change.
The Friends of the Earth Climate Justice Collective are organizing simultaneous community actions at 4 Electoral offices at 10.00AM, Tuesday 16 Dec.
More info here.
3. There is a protest rally in town today at midday for everyone to join. Several of us will be at the rally at Spring St and Collins and Macarthur St. – 12 pm.
Some may be able to get to the visit to Jacinta Collins afterwards – you may recall her at our Senate debate.
We are discussing a meeting of Lighter Footprints members for tomorrow night, and will tell you where shortly.
Special meeting of Lighter Footprints!
Lighter Footprints is calling a special meeting for anyone concerned about how to respond to the government’s extremely low target for reduction of carbon emissions – 5% by 2020 .
Some have already started to propose a range of possible actions, and it seems important to get together on a plan for action quickly.
Ken Coghill has booked the Chandler Room at the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre in Union Rd at 7.30 pm on Wednesday night.
If this has hit you as hard as it has hit many of us (some of whom had been faintly hopeful of significant government action and so are very disappointed – and more!) then please find a way to come tomorrow night.
We are in new territory.
Please try to make it.
Carolyn Ingvarson
9836 0925
0411 115 186