Climate Change Media Releases

New agreement supports Indigenous and conservation goals for the Great Western Woodlands - March 09, 2010

The Wilderness Society (TWS) and the Goldfields Land and Sea Council (GLSC) have signed an important agreement to work together for the protection of WA’s extraordinary Great Western Woodlands (GWW). The partners will develop a co-operative approach along with other land users to safeguard the ecology and cultural values of the region, and to ensure land justice and economic opportunities for the region’s Traditional Owners.

Opposition Can’t See The Wood For The 20 Million Trees - February 02, 2010

9.3 Billion Tonnes Of Carbon In Old Forests Ignored In Climate Policy - The Federal Opposition has missed a golden opportunity to focus on the huge stores of carbon in Australia’s remaining old-growth native forests as part of its plan to reduce greenhouse emissions, the Wilderness Society said today.

Climate change plan gives green light for native forest power stations and ignores protection of forests - February 02, 2010

Following the release of the Tasmanian Government’s ‘wedges project”, environment groups today expressed dismay at the apparent lack of analysis and acceptance of the actual emissions from forestry activities and the immediate climate benefits that could be achieved by protecting native forests.

Forests after Copenhagen - moves on protecting forests stalled - December 20, 2009

Returning from the bitterly disappointing UN Copenhagen Climate Change conference where world leaders failed and talks collapsed delivering only a weak agreement insufficient to go anywhere near tackling the global threat, the Wilderness Society delivered their initial prognosis on the wash up for forests and ecosystems.

Impending Collapse of Climate Talks Fails World’s Forests and People - December 19, 2009

Copenhagen – The impending collapse of climate change talks here has dashed hopes that the Copenhagen process could provide real solutions to protect the world’s forests and reduce the approximately 20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. The sections of the proposed treaty intended to address deforestation in developing and developed countries (known as REDD and LULUCF, respectively) have been frozen as nations fail to agree on concrete measures to halt climate change

US pledges fall short of what’s needed for forest protection - December 17, 2009

Copenhagen – U.S. pledges announced in the last 24 hours are inadequate to ensure the long term success of the proposed UNFCCC program to reduce the approximately 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions that stem from the destruction and degradation of the world’s tropical forests (commonly known as REDD.), according to the forest and climate experts from the Ecosystems Climate Alliance.

World leaders must deliver strong goals and money to make REDD happen - December 16, 2009

Copenhagen – As REDD negotiating text goes to ministers this morning at the Copenhagen climate change talks, two outcomes are possible with several pivotal issues undecided.  An agreement to reduce deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD) could be the strongest global measure ever enacted to protect the world’s forests or a deal to incentivize their destruction, according to forest and climate experts from the Ecosystems Climate Alliance.

New REDD Text Drops Targets; Downgrades Critical Safeguards to Mere Suggestions - December 13, 2009

Copenhagen – Text leaked to observer groups late last night on REDD, the portion of the proposed climate treaty meant to reduce the approximately 20 percent of global greenhouse gases from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, has removed targets for ending deforestation and significantly weakened safeguard language.

Nicholas Stern signs pledge urging Native Forest Protection at Copenhagen - December 13, 2009

The world’s leading climate change economist Sir Nicholas Stern has joined with 57 countries and signed a pledge at Copenhagen, organised by the Wilderness Society, to protect unlogged native forests as part of a new global agreement to fight climate change.

Thousands support Walk Against Warming in Tassie’s forests - December 12, 2009

Over 2000 Tasmanians joined the Walk Against Warming in the carbon-dense forests of the Upper Florentine. The crowd urged world leaders meeting in Copenhagen to take urgent action on climate change, including the protection of the world’s forests.