It's time to get serious about climate change. There is much that can be done:

Nationally

The Australian Government should take immediate measures to reduce greenhouse pollution, including:

• Capping national emissions and establishing an emissions trading scheme;
• Setting a national standard for new electricity generators to ensure investment in clean energy and rule out polluting coal;
• Increasing the contribution of new renewable energy in Australia from less than 2% to 10% by 2010;
• Setting an energy efficiency target and implementing projects that save both energy and money; and
• Investing in safe, clean and reliable public transport.

For more information on the Green vision for Australia's energy future, check out
the major report Re-Energising Australia. 

In South Australia

As the driest state in the driest continent, South Australia has a lot to lose with climate change.  2005 was the hottest year recorded since reliable records in 1910.  The 2006 winter was the driest on record.  Precious little water is flowing across the border from NSW and Victoria.  The Jan 2007 inflows in the River Murray were 40% below the previous worst recording for January.  Record low flows have been recorded month after month. The CSIRO predicts that over the next 20 to 50 years we can expect more of the same – higher temperatures, lower rainfall, and in increase in fires and drought.

In response, Premier Rann has used very strong rhetoric, but has so far failed to back his words with action.  For instance, one project, the proposed expansion in the Olympic Dam uranium mine alone will use more electricity than every single household in Adelaide combined.  This expansion is set to take place over the next 15 years – precisely the time the world's climate change experts are saying we need to make deep cuts in order to avoid dangerous climate change.

There is every chance that, despite Rann's rhetoric, while the rest of the developed world is reducing its greenhouse emissions, South Australia will rapidly move in the other direction.

The Government's Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Bill 2006 has finally passed into law.  The Greens put forward 30 amendments to ensure the Bill will enact real and lasting measures to reduce our state's emissions, drive an increase in investment in renewable energy and promote energy efficiency.

The Upper House initially passed the Bill, including a much stronger 2020 greenhouse pollution reduction target. The Rann Government then knocked back the stronger 2020 target, voting for an alternative target that would mean an INCREASE, not a decrease, in South Australia's greenhouse pollution over the next 13 years. This was (rightly) rejected by the Upper House, so the Government's Bill now does not contain any 2020 targets.

To read a summary of why the Greens rejected the Government's 2020 target click here.  

For a summary of the amendment debate click here.

To read Mark's opening speech on the Bill click here.

Is nuclear power the solution to global warming?

Nuclear energy is being promoted as a solution to the greenhouse gas problem and flagging oil reserves. But nuclear energy involves substantial greenhouse gas emissions in mining, processing, and enrichment of uranium, as well as the processing and storage of nuclear wastes. The Olympic Dam project at Roxby Downs consumes 10% of South Australia's electricity and is the single largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the State.

In addition, the transport of nuclear materials poses the risk of accidental environmental contamination, not to mention terrorist acquisition. The proliferation of nuclear weapons is one of the greatest risks associated with nuclear power. Uranium mined in South Australia is being exported to nuclear weapons countries and to countries using depleted uranium weapons.

What's the Government doing?

The Labor Government has ignored all of these problems. South Australian Premier Mike Rann is a strong supporter of the nuclear industry. Since coming to office in 2002 he has reneged on election promises to clean up existing uranium mines and has supported the expansion of uranium mining in SA.

What do the Greens think?

The Greens want South Australia to be a Nuclear Free Zone.

Under the Greens SA nuclear policy:

• the construction of nuclear reactors in South Australia will be banned
• the mining and processing of uranium and thorium will be prohibited
• existing nuclear wastes will be safely and securely stored, monitored, and managed
• the importation of radioactive wastes in any form will be prohibited
• no nuclear or depleted uranium weapons, or material for constructing such weapons, will be permitted in South Australia, including its ports and waters

What can you do about this global challenge – our greatest challenge?

You can take measures at home, at work, in business and in your community. Below are simple ideas about how you can reduce the amount of carbon that you put into the atmosphere.

Ten easy things you can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

1. Change a light globe
Replacing six regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs will save 400kg of carbon dioxide per year.

2. Drive less
Walk, bike, carpool or take public transport more often. You'll save 1.5kg of carbon dioxide for every 5km you don't drive.

3. Recycle more
Save 1,000kg of carbon dioxide per year by recycling just half of your household waste.

4. Check your tyres
Keeping your tyres inflated properly can improve your car's efficiency. Every litre of petrol saved keeps 2.5kg of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

5. Use less hot water
Use less hot water by installing an energy efficiency triple A rated showerhead (3 tonnes of carbon dioxide saved per year) and washing your clothes in cold or warm water (225kg saved per year).

6. Avoid products with a lot of packaging
You can save 545kg of carbon dioxide if you cut down your garbage by 10%.

7. Turn your thermostat down 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees in summer
You could save about 900 kg of carbon dioxide a year with this simple adjustment.

8. Plant a tree
A single tree will absorb one tonne of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.

9. Turn off electronic devices
Turning off your television, DVD player, stereo and computer when you're not using them will save you thousands of kilograms of carbon dioxide a year.

10. Be part of the solution

Get active politically, let your state and federal Members of Parliament know that you want them to take climate change seriously and to act now.

Join the Greens and help them promote a saner, better future for our children's sake.

For more information check out these websites:

For Mark's media release on Roxby and the Greenhouse Bill: Click here

For a summary of the Climate Change Bill debate Click here

To read Mark's opening speech on the Bill Click Here

For Mark's media release on the Climate Change Bill debate Click Here

Christine Milne's Climate Change Campaign: Click here

Re-Energising Australia: Click Here 

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