ALP Premier's Climate Target - Like Flying Eyes Wide Open Into Brick Wall

Media Release
15 April 07 – For immediate Release – Melbourne, Australia

The Prime Minister John Howard would not agree with the State Premiers in Canberra yesterday to set a definitive target of greenhouse gas emissions. They were urging him to adopt a target of 60% reduction by 2050. The Prime Minister has said he won't adopt a target till he sees the report of a Federal Task Force on Carbon Emissions, due out in May.

"The cynics amongst us might see this as just more obfuscation by the PM," said Matthew Wright, spokesman for Beyond Zero Emissions. "He is driven by an unhealthy closeness to the fossil fuel industries and the energy intensive industries. But perhaps another scenario might play out?"

The question remains: is the target of a 60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 a good one? Already we have entered a period of dangerous climate change, with the rapid disappearance of the Arctic ice cap. With the accelerated melting of the Greenland ice sheet and the commencement of frequent large ice-quakes as the massive ice sheet moves and cracks, there is already the danger of major sea level rises in the next 30 years.
The recent Stern Report commissioned by the British Government indicated the catastrophic consequences of a 2ºC temperature rise above preindustrial levels. Yet the British Government's current carbon emissions reduction target of 60% by 2050 would still leave a 63-99 per cent chance of causing a world wide temperature rise exceeding 2ºC. (The reason for multiple percentage risks is the variety of computer models that calculate at slightly different odds.) "Premier of South Australia Mike Rann says that having no greenhouse gas reduction target is like flying blind," says Mr Wright. "But having a target that has very poor odds of protecting the planet, even if it is
fully achieved, is like deliberately flying with your eyes open - into a brick wall."

"The Prime Minister should not follow the inadequate 60% reduction target by 2050. but instead be inspired by the courage of Republican Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger's tougher target (of 80% reduction by 2050) and go on to adopt the target that the planet really needs - which is zero emissions by 2020." said Mr Wright

This is not a dream target. It has been the official target of the City of Melbourne for many years, and is being picked up by more and more Councils and other organisations as the months go by.
(Press Release prepared with the assistance of Philip Sutton -GSI)