No surrender on climate change

Newly elected Greens Councillors pledged today to lead community efforts to prevent climate change following Kevin Rudd’s announcement yesterday of a low 5% emissions target for Australia.

Five Greens councillors representing rural and metropolitan municipalities told a climate change rally next to Parliament House that Kevin Rudd had surrendered in the fight to stop climate change.

“Now more than ever, local government needs to provide the political leadership that Kevin Rudd has abandoned,’ said Cr Trent McCarthy from the City of Darebin. 

Cr McCarthy said he was determined to assist ratepayers to conserve energy and install solar hot water heaters on their homes.

The rally, attended by more than 70 people, was part of a Greens national day of action comprising protests in all states over the government’s emissions target of between five and fifteen per cent by 2020

West Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert told the crowd that “there would be no environment" unless Prime Minister Kevin Rudd committed to higher emissions reductions.

"We cannot let the five per cent target stand because it will mean the death of the Great Barrier Reef and the Murray Darling River system,” she said.

Senator Siewert stated that the Greens will refer the issue of target emissions to a Senate inquiry which would allow the scientists to get their say.

Cr Cathy Oke from the Melbourne City Council said that the city has a zero net emissions strategy for 2020.

"We have a clear goal to make Melbourne the most sustainable city in the world. Wouldn't it be great to make Australia the most sustainable country in the world Mr Rudd?" she said.

Cr John Middleton from Port Philip City Council told the rally that we've been failed by our Federal Government and we've been failed by our State Government. We need leadership at local government.

"I'd like to see 2000 people gathered at St Kilda Town Hall demanding greater, stronger and immediate urgent action on climate change from their local government. I'd like to see that same sort of action at every town hall across Australia," he said.

Cr Sam Gaylard from the City of Yarra said that that local government had the ability to act on climate change and support residents to lower their greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are committed to a program of auditing and retrofitting of homes to increase energy efficiencies,” he said.

“In addition, we want to install solar hot water heaters and photovoltaic solar panels to generate electricity.”

“This could be done cheaply through bulk purchasing, mass installation down streets for economy of scale and financed by low interest loans,” Cr Gaylard said. “Residents will be able to act now to lower their emissions.”

The rally finished with the crowd chanting:  "No excuse, Mr Rudd, real action now!"

Greens seek enquiry into 5% target - click here to read the full story