Scientist urges solar power use

Townsville Bulletin
Wednesday 4/10/2006, Page: 4

HE'S one of the rock stars of modern science, and his message to Australia? Get a new prime minister.

Dr David Suzuki, who landed in Townsville yesterday to present a public lecture on sustainable energy, praised the Federal Government on helping bring a $30 million solar power trial to the twin cities.

But for Prime Minister John Howard to still withhold signing the Kyoto Protocol, the famed environmentalist and author of 32 books said it was putting the nation's future in jeopardy.

"For Mr Howard to continue to deny Kyoto and all that, I think it is really missing a huge opportunity for Australians, and it shows no vision or sign of leadership at all," Dr Suzuki said.

The Canadian scientist, who is best known for his television series The Nature of Things, believed the protocol to reduce greenhouse emissions should have been signed years ago.

"I'm surprised at Australia," he said. "I thought that Australia, like Canada, would believe that we are part of an international community of nations, and that if this was international law, then Australia ought to be complying.

"As of today, Australia and the United States are the only two industrial countries that have not signed on to Kyoto." Where Denmark and Germany lead the world in wind power, Australia could be the world leader in solar Australia," he said.