MEDIA RELEASE
The Conservation Council of SA (CCSA), the peak conservation body for SA, today condemned the final report from the Garnaut Review into Australias response to climate change.
Professor Ross Garnauts final report paints a deeply disturbing picture of Australias contribution to fighting climate change, both domestically and in the context of the forthcoming Copenhagen negotiations, said CCSA Campaigner Jamnes Danenberg.
The Garnaut Review is a unique opportunity for Australia to help the global effort to avoid catastrophic climate change. The best science tells us that to do this, we must keep global CO2 levels under 450ppm.
To have any hope of achieving this, we need to make large cuts to our emissions, quickly. The longer we delay, the larger the amount of pollution to wreak havoc with our planets life-support systems. It will make a big difference to our quality of life in coming decades whether we make the necessary cuts early or late.
We also have ample evidence that fast action ultimately costs our economy less. This makes sense because it is preventing an expensive problem from getting bigger a stitch in time really does save nine.
Jurisdictions such as California, Germany and Sweden are showing how decisive action can create a whole new green economy. Australia does not want to get behind this particular eight-ball if we do, we miss out on these economic opportunities as well as seeing our environment and community suffer.
A 10% emissions reduction target by 2020 is pitifully inadequate and will ensure the loss of iconic Australian sites like the Great Barrier Reef. Australia must act as a role model at the international climate change negotiations. If each country plays its part by setting strong targets, we will end up with a global agreement that takes up the climate change challenge. With political will, countries like Australia could be aiming to reduce their emissions by 40% by 2020. We know this is needed, so there is no justification, moral or economic, for not getting on with the job, Mr Danenberg concluded.
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For further information or comment please contact: Jamnes Danenberg CCSA Campaigner 0411 028 930
