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To the Honourable Prime Minister Mr Kevin Rudd,

 

Now is the most crucial time to continue working towards a low carbon economy and a safe climate.

The Copenhagen negotiations have failed to deliver binding targets, but that is no reason to stop working towards necessary emission cuts. We need to cut Australia’s emissions by at least 40% on 1990 levels by 2020 if we are to avert catastrophic warming above 2°C.

Now is the time for us to act on this issue. We cannot let the current arguments of climate scepticism halt progress on solving this urgent and scientifically proven problem. This is a matter of our survival, and needs to be addressed immediately without the delays caused by political wrangling and game-playing.

While the opposition continues to attempt to create public opposition to emission reduction measures, there is clear and unwavering community support for real solutions to this problem. On December 12th over 100,000 people around Australia took to the streets to demonstrate their demand for real action on climate change. The level of community concern on this issue is unprecedented, and cannot be ignored.

We understand the dangers posed by climate change and we call on you to commit to the following actions:

1. Urgently reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% from 1990 levels by 2020 and reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases to pre-industrial levels (280-300 ppm) as soon as possible. 

 

2. Introduce a moratorium on any proposed new or expanded coal mines and set a phase out date for coal-fired electricity generation, shifting investment into renewable energy.

 

3. Establish a 100% renewable energy target.

 

4. Establish a no nuclear power policy, as it is not a solution to climate change.

 

5. Invest in low-carbon transport and support the development of alternative transport energy solutions, fuel efficiency and more environmentally sound, less carbon intensive urban planning.

 

6. Protect native vegetation from the impacts of mining, extractive industries, forestry, urban and peri-urban development and introduce bio-carbon incentives for protecting native vegetation.

 

We need to move our economy away from coal and towards a clean energy future, and we need to do this now. We have no time to waste, and I call on you to do everything you can to minimise the impacts of climate change.