A group of concerned citizens from the Brisbane Southside Climate Action Group are conducting a sit-in at the electoral office of Kevin Rudd in Morningside in response to the Federal Government’s inadequate and defeatist emission reduction targets announced today.
“The Federal government’s emission reduction targets of 5-15% by 2020 are too low to prevent catastrophic changes to the earth’s climate. This will mean the end for national icons like the Great Barrier Reef and the Kakadu wetlands” said Kristy Walters, spokesperson for the group.
“These targets are based on industry preferences rather than scientific necessity. With such low targets more extreme weather events like the recent storms in Brisbane and more severe droughts are likely to occur more frequently. In short, they are a recipe for climate chaos. This irresponsible plan is simply unacceptable” states Ms Walters.
The group are asking for carbon emissions to peak in 2010 followed by a rapid decline to at least 50% on 1990 levels by 2020.
“At the United Nations climate talks in Poznan last week, Germany came out with a strong commitment to reduce emissions by 40% by 2020 regardless of action of other countries.
We need Australia to be demonstrating the same kind of leadership, but the Rudd government is showing that it is incapable of delivering on this” said Ms Walters.
Nicole Rankin, a member of the group sitting inside Rudd’s office said “As a mother, I am extremely concerned about what Rudd’s climate change plan means for future generations. The government is clearly pandering to industry and in doing so is sacrificing a safe future for generations to come”.
The group inside Rudd’s office are accompanied by another 10 people outside holding a banner which reads “Rudd’s Plan = Climate Chaos and other signs reading “Thank you, Love from Industry”.
The group entered the office upon the announcement of the Federal Government’s policy on climate change this morning and have said they are not leaving.
For more information:
Media Spokes – Kristy Walters 0423 478 757
Media Liaison – Emma Brindal 0411 084 727
See also: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/bprotest-at-pms-brisbane-officeb/2008/12/15/1229189509854.html
[...] Nicole Rankin, a member of the group sitting inside Rudd’s office said “As a mother, I am extremely concerned about what Rudd’s climate change plan means for future generations. The government is clearly pandering to industry and in doing so is sacrificing a safe future for generations to come”. [...]
[...] Nicole Rankin, a member of the group sitting inside Rudd’s office said “As a mother, I am extremely concerned about what Rudd’s climate change plan means for future generations. The government is clearly pandering to industry and in doing so is sacrificing a safe future for generations to come”. [...]