Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Howard lacks courage to tackle climate change
Howard lacks courage to tackle climate change
Sydney
Thursday, 12 January, 2006 : In response to Prime Minister
Howard's statement this morning, Greenpeace climate and
energy campaign leader, Catherine Fitzpatrick said:
"Prime Minister Howard this morning failed to make the courageous decisions that are necessary to tackle climate change.
"The $100 million he has offered stands in comparison to $55 million his government has spent on advertising their industrial relations changes and $150 million on upgrading the coal infrastructure in the Hunter Valley.
"Not only that, but only a quarter of the $100 million is earmarked for actual spending on renewable energy, with some of the rest allocated to yet more meetings to delay real action.
"The Prime Minister effectively said this morning that his government doesn't believe it's worth spending the money to really tackle climate change. The Australian people, battling bushfires, drought and heatwaves, won't take kindly to that attitude.
“If it is true that the USA is only allocating $52 million, the sum total of the US and Australian commitments only barely matches the Howard Government's investment in upgrading the Hunter coal network.
"As the 'Coal Pact' meeting in Sydney now enters its final stage, we are deeply concerned that Australia and the USA will not only miss the opportunity to lead us towards the renewable energy economy that we need to tackle climate change, but won't even take the first simple and effective steps down that road.
"While China is taking leadership, moving to double its renewable energy infrastructure, Australia and the USA are trying to convince them to move backwards into the coal age. It will be interesting to see if the countries and business groups can come to an agreement today."
Greenpeace
Greenpeace exists because this fragile earth deserves a voice.
Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace.
Carbon Market Watch: Going For Green - Is The Paris Olympics Winning The Race Against The Climate Clock?
New Zealand Defence Force: NZDF Working With Pacific Neighbours To Support Solomon Islands Election
UN News: Ceasefire The Only Way To End Killing And Injuring Of Children In Gaza
ICHRP: US-Japan-Philippines Trilateral Summit Makes The Philippines A Battlefield For US-China Conflict
East West Center: Environmental Journalist Alexander Kaufman Receives East-West Center’s Inaugural Melvin M.S. Goo Writing Fellowship
Compassion in World Farming: Octopus Farm Must Be Stopped, Say Campaigners