Climate alliance calls for action

www.theaustralian.news.com.au
November 21, 2007

AN alliance of community, environmental and business groups has urged political leaders to tackle climate change urgently and effectively. The climate alliance of 15 groups, representing most sectors of society, aims to protect Australians from the potential catastrophes of climate change. The newly formed group ran prominent advertisements in newspapers across the country today, in a bid to generate support for action over the growing environmental problem.

The group wants Australia to become a world leader in clean and renewable energy. In a joint statement, the alliance said Australian scientists warned that urgent action was needed to avoid dangerous climate change. As an enterprising nation, Australians could create exciting new business opportunities and jobs by turning the threat into opportunity, the alliance said.

Australian Conservation Society executive director Don Henry said the unprecedented alliance represented millions of Australians. Mr Henry said "terrifying" UN climate change reports had triggered action to strengthen the voice for Australia's future. "Climate change is the moral issue of our times and it demands action now," Mr Henry said. "There is no more important issue for the future of our kids - it's goingto affect their health and our environment.

World Vision Australia chief executive Tim Costello said Asian and African communities had been "kicked in the guts" from a dramatic increase in natural disasters, particularly in South-East Asia, as a result of global warming.

Mr Costello said it was time Australia's experts and politicians became world leaders in climate change, rather than the country being "a follower and observer." "Global warming is the greatest example of market failure," Mr Costello said. "We need global leadership and we need Australians, that have have been leaders in so many areas. .. to take the lead - we have been playing way behind."

The alliance's signatories are AgForce, AngliCORD, the Australian Conservation Foundation, ACOSS, the CFMEU Mining Division, CHOICE, The Climate Institute Australia, Bishop George Browning, Doctors for the Environment Australia, Investa, the Property Council of Australia, Szencorp, the Uniting Church in Australia, Westpac and World Vision Australia.