Coal, Coastal Erosion and Climate Change: Qld Govt has its head in the sand

A report showing that Queensland's carbon pollution in 2008 increased by more than 2 million tonnes was proof of the utter failure of the Labor government to cope with the challenge of climate change.

The report also showed Queensland has more than doubled its output of greenhouse gases from 1990 levels.

'At least in New South Wales the EPA has called on residents to photograph and report on the effects of today's king tides so that planning for coastal damage from sea level rise can be undertaken.  In Queensland we have no leadership on these issues whatsoever,' Queensland Greens spokesperson, Libby Connors, said today.

The Greens say that there is only so much individual consumers can do in the way of replacing inefficient light bulbs.  Government leadership in converting the road and rail systems for mass transit and coal-fired power stations to alternative energy is essential.

'The Queensland Government should start with introducing a Gross Feed-in Tariff so that consumers are paid for their solar energy input into the grid.  This is the quickest and easiest way to make solar panels on individual homes affordable.'

"This is Anna Bligh's chance to show she leads a government with backbone."