Make 2010 the year to protect and restore Australia’s forests as a climate solution

2010 is a very important year for getting strong action by all levels of Government on climate change.  So far, the targets of both Federal Labor and the Coalitions climate policies are inadequate. Public pressure needs to be applied so Australia can make a real, fair and significant contribution to global efforts to secure a safe climate.

The Federal Labor party has only committed to an unconditional greenhouse gas reduction target of 3.89% by 2020, based on 1990 levels. The labor party has also included a proposal for 15% - 25% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (based on 2000 levels) that is conditional on the outcomes and level of commitments from all countries in the international negotiations that is developing the climate treaty that will replace the Kyoto Protocol after 2012.

The Coalition has released a climate policy that has a target of 5% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, but their target is actually based on a 1990 levels.

In an effort to secure further commitments from the Australian Government in the lead up to the next Conference of Parties under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in December we are asking you to work with us to secure an addition climate action measure – the protection of natural forests as permanent carbon stores.

We need commitments from all levels of Government to decrease emissions from fossil fuels in addition to ceasing emissions from the logging, clearing and burning of Australia’s forests.

The good news is that by protecting Australia’s forests and woodlands we can avoid the emissions from emissive land-use activities that contributes to climate change, and by allowing these forests to recover and reach their full carrying capacity they will help global efforts to remove the excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that is driving climate change.

Australia could significantly decrease our annual greenhouse gas emissions if measures are taken to protect and restore Australia’s forests and woodlands.

So, if we shift form a high carbon polluting industries to low carbon industries, invest in renewable energy and sustainable transport, and protect and restore Australia’s forests and woodlands we can commit to the necessary 40% - 60% reductions in annual greenhouse gas reductions that developed countries are calling for.

We need you to help us secure a strong, fair and ambitious climate plan for Australia that reduces industrial fossil fuel emissions, protects and restores native forests and ecosystems, activates a immediate transition to low carbon economy including investments in truly renewable energy including solar, wind, wave and tidal power and increases jobs for everyday Australia’s.

We can do it but we need your help.

• You can assist The Wilderness Society’s campaigns to make sure that Australia’s position is improved before the next major UN climate meeting in Mexico in December by:
• Asking your friends and family to sign our forest pledge to PM Rudd
  
• Write to your local Members of Parliament (MP’s), Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Minister for Climate Change and Water Senator Penny Wong, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and Opposition Climate Change Spokesperson Greg Hunt.
• Arrange a meeting with your local MP’s, Senators and community leaders and ask them to increase their commitments to action on climate change and ensure that they act now to reduce industrial fossil fuel emissions and protect Australia’s forests and woodlands. You can click here www.wilderness.org.au/haveyourvoiceheard and find out who your local MP’s are and to get some tips on writing letters to and meeting with politicians.

To stay up to date on climate and nature campaigns please visit www.wilderness.org.au/climate