Changing the climate requires changing the Senate

"The world's scientists have again made it clear last week that to avoid dangerous climate change, global emissions must peak by 2015. Therefore what we do, or do not do, about climate change in the next two terms of government will determine the course of human history," said Ms Waters.

"Voting Green in the Senate is the only way to get real political action to slow climate change."

The Greens have released a Six Step Climate Change Action Plan that will:

1.            Set science-based emission reduction targets of 30% below 1990 levels by 2020, and at least 80% by 2050, with a 'polluter pays' emissions trading scheme based on these targets.

2.            Turn around Australia's ballooning energy demand with a substantial investment in increasing energy efficiency across the economy.

3.            Ensure 15% of Australia's energy comes from clean, renewable sources by 2012 and 25% by 2020 as important milestones in the progress to a zero-emissions energy sector.

4.            Immediately end the logging and burning of old growth forests - which would reduce our emissions by 10% and provide much needed carbon sinks.

5.            Shift our transport away from inefficient, petrol-guzzling private cars to efficient, biofuel or electric cars and fast, efficient and cheap public transport.

6.            Ratify the Kyoto Protocol and participate fully in global negotiations for strong post-Kyoto targets.

"The best time to take action on greenhouse gas emissions was twenty years ago. The second best time is right now," concluded Ms Waters.

For more information:

Larissa Waters

Australian Greens lead Senate candidate for Queensland

larissa.waters@qld.greens.org.au