A group of more than 60 Australian scientists and experts have called on the Australian government elected at Saturday’s general election to prioritise action on climate change.
AAP Newsagency reports the 62 experts, including Nobel Prize winners and former Australians of the Year, have penned an open letter to politicians, which features a prominent graph showing Australia’s emissions have been rising since 2014.
“The consequences of climate change are already upon us – including harsher and more frequent extreme weather, destruction of natural ecosystems, severe property damage and a worldwide threat to human health,” they wrote.
“The solutions are all available to address climate change, all that is missing is the political will.”
The group includes former Australian of the Year and Nobel Prize winner Professor Peter Doherty, former Australian of the Year Fiona Stanley and former premier of Western Australia Carmen Lawrence.
“Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are rising, moving the country further away from its (United Nations sponsored) Paris Agreement obligations,” the letter said.
“Whichever party wins government on Saturday, urgent action on climate change must be a top priority for the 46th parliament of Australia.”
Climate change has emerged as a top issue of the federal election, from school students taking to the streets for environmental action to independent candidates emerging on climate policy platforms.
AAP reports both parties have had to flex their climate policies ahead of Saturday’s election, with the Liberal Party saying its target is more economically sensible than opposition Labor Party’s plan.
Labor has been questioned on the cost of its target of 45 per cent emissions reduction on 2005 levels by 2030.
Meanwhile, Australia’s conservative Liberal Party Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said he would end the “climate wars” within the Liberal Party by achieving an emissions reduction target of 26 to 28 per cent.
Climate action has been a divisive issue within the Liberal-National coalition government, with some strongly advocating for coal-fired power and questioning the science of climate change, while others seek more renewable energy and cuts to emissions.
Mr Morrison said sticking to the coalition’s emissions target, which is based on a reduction on 2005 levels by 2030, is how he would govern from the centre of the party.
“That has been the same policy of this government since it was first articulated and has been carried through by our government,” Mr Morrison told the National Press Club in Canberra today.
“Australians don’t want us to choose between having a job and taking action on climate change.
“We’re ensuring that Australia meets its global commitments in a responsible way.”
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WE’RE BUILDING A PLATFORM WITH A CLEAR FOCUS ON THE ENVIRONMENT, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL GOOD. CONTRIBUTE AND TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE AN IMPACT.
