Sea Level Rise

Pricing carbon makes Australia a world leader in action against climate change - WA Greens

Media Release | Spokesperson Rachel Siewert, Scott Ludlam
Tuesday 8th November 2011, 1:22pm
in

WA Senators Rachel Siewert and Scott Ludlam say today's historic carbon price vote is the start of serious action on climate change.

"The passage of the Clean Energy Future package through the Senate represents a new beginning for our economy, with new industries and new jobs being created," Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

"I am particularly pleased with the strong opportunities that will be created for rural and regional Australia and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the Carbon Farming Initiatives and supports for Indigenous land management. This package invests $1.7 billion in protecting our environment and supporting farmers.

"The clean energy package ensures assistance will be given to nine out of ten Australians, through tax cuts and higher pensions and benefits," said Senator Siewert.

"An economy based on clean energy will lead to job creation and will see Australia set a leading international standard on action on climate change," Senator Scott Ludlam said.

"Western Australia is well placed to capitalise on the Clean Energy Future package's investment of $13 billion for renewable energy. This package protects jobs and drives a transformation of our economy.

"As one of the world's biggest polluters, Australia has taken a strong step towards a future of 100% renewable energy," said Senator Ludlam.


Media Contacts: Giovanni Torre - 0417 174 302
Chris Redman - 0418 401 180


 


 


 

Red-letter day in fight against warming

Blog Post | Blog of Sarah Hanson-Young
Tuesday 8th November 2011, 8:12am
by ParisLord in

Today will be a great day for Australians who have waited years for their government to take our warming planet seriously.

Clean Energy Bills

Speech | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Tuesday 1st November 2011, 3:21pm
in

 


Senator LUDLAM (Western Australia) (11:46): This is the third time in as many years that we have been called up to speak on a package of carbon price bills in this chamber. Unlike the first two opportunities, I am delighted to rise to speak on this occasion. What a difference an election makes. This package, the Clean Energy Bill 2011 and related bills, is a credit to Senator Christine Milne, who brought great appreciation of the policy imperatives and seized a moment of opportunity last August for Australia to change course. The package is also of course a credit to the leadership of Senator Bob Brown and credit to our member for Melbourne, Adam Bandt, his team and all of the people who fired up around the country last year to deliver a historic win and a very finely balanced parliament. So I want to take this opportunity to thank everybody who pitched in last year, because this is your win.

Greens Leader’s statement on the Canberra convoy

Media Release | Spokesperson Bob Brown
Sunday 21st August 2011, 3:52pm
in

"Some might call the predicted thousands of trucks descending on Canberra ending up as hundreds (ABC, 21/8/11) a ‘flop', but these Australians have every right to a peaceful presence on the parliamentary lawns," Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.


"It seems like the prime qualification to be there is to be angry about something - these are Abbott's angry people," Senator Brown said.


"But it seems their views on some issues are fairly shorted sighted, very ‘me-now'."


"The number of angry people in Canberra tomorrow will increase much more than the numbers of truckers arriving in town," Senator Brown predicted.


 


 

Coal barons should help pay for catastrophes - Brown

Media Release | Spokesperson Bob Brown
Sunday 16th January 2011, 1:25pm
in

The full tax on excess profits by the coal mining industry, as recommended by Treasury, should be imposed with half set aside for future natural catastrophes in Australia, Greens Leader Bob Brown said in Hobart today.


"It is unfair that the cost is put on all taxpayers, not the culprits," Senator Brown said.

"Burning coal is a major cause of global warming. This industry, which is 75% owned outside Australia, should help pay the cost of the predicted more severe and more frequent floods, droughts and bushfires in coming decades. As well, 700,000 seaside properties in Australia face rising sea levels."


"A Goldman Sachs study found that the reduction in the mining super tax agreed by the current Labor government (the coalition opposes the mining tax) would cost Australians $35 billion in forgone revenue to 2019-20."


"Scientists agree that current floods come from record-high temperatures of Australian oceans this season."


"We also ask insurers to show some compassion to Queensland's flood victims, and to others who face loss as wild weather besets the country. Many people believe they have flood cover and, if not, the fine print should have been disclosed to them."


 

The disconnect between sea level rise report and the CPRS

Speech | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Tuesday 27th October 2009, 12:00am
in

Senator MILNE (Tasmania) (4:04 PM) -I rise today to note the report of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts, Managing our coastal zone in a changing climate: the time to act is now. I note that at last we have a government committee saying what the Greens have been saying, what the scientists have been saying and what the community has been saying for decades. But the conclusion cannot be drawn that action on the very real threat of climate change to Australia's coastal communities is going to be addressed by the government's targets.

Tas Government must act on sea level rise

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Friday 28th August 2009, 2:12pm
in

Tasmanian coastal developments will face inundation from sea level rise, Senator Christine Milne said today whilst calling on the Tasmanian government to note a draft planning policy before the Queensland government.

The Bligh government is considering placing future Queensland coastal developments off-limits if they fall within the 80cm rise in sea levels predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

"It's the first time a state has put a figure on how much levels will rise."

"A state government recognising that sea level rise is real, happening right now, and a major threat to the wellbeing of people living and working around our coast is a real breakthrough."

"Tasmanians need leadership from their government, and this is a golden opportunity for David Bartlett to do as the Bligh Government is doing in moving to restrict developments that are destined for failure and abandonment."

"The proposed canal estate in Ralph's Bay obviously comes to mind as a multi-million dollar development fated to inundation, but all around the state we have low lying coastline already experiencing rising levels, storm surge, erosion and, incredibly, a regular stream of planning applications."

"Right now in the North West we have the Mayors of Latrobe and Devonport Councils proposing an industrial estate in one of the state's most vulnerable areas to sea level rise. It really beggars belief, especially as the damaging effects of floods and storms are paid for by local councils. Rate payers beware; the community will foot the bill when the inevitable occurs."

The IPCC predicts sea levels will rise 30cm by 2050 and 80cm by 2100, but recent scientific research indicates the levels will rise higher and faster than originally anticipated.

"This is a chance for the Tasmanian government to act, but also for every one of us to realise that global warming is driving sea level rise. We must demand our governments and big polluters act responsibly."

Wong effectively admits Australia watered down Pacific Island Forum communique

Media Release | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Tuesday 11th August 2009, 4:01pm
in

Climate Change Minister Penny Wong has effectively admitted that the Rudd Government blocked the inclusion of ambitious emissions targets in the Pacific Island Forum communiqué, the Australian Greens said today.

Minister Wong stated that the Rudd Government sought consensus from the forum on the content of the communiqué. She would not and could not deny that it was the Australian Government blocking consensus on the inclusion of ambitious emissions reduction targets.

"There was only one country at the Pacific Island Forum arguing against ambitious action on climate change, and that was the host - Australia," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

Did Rudd Govt censor Pacific Nations?

Question | Spokesperson Christine Milne
Tuesday 11th August 2009, 12:00am
in

Senator MILNE (Tasmania) (2:31 PM) -My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Minister Wong, and refers to the recent Pacific Islands Forum and the Smaller Island States Group meeting which Australia hosted and for which Australia provided secretariat support. Given the consistent and outspoken calls from Pacific Island nations for a 45 per cent below 1990 level reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from developed countries by 2020, why was that not reflected in the outputs from either of these meetings held in Australia? Did you as the minister, the Prime Minister or any Australian official block the inclusion of such strong targets or any reference to a 2020 target in the Pacific Islands Forum communique or did you or any other Australian official block the release of a communique at all from the Smaller Island States Group meeting?