Maitland Greens

The Coalition Government's attitude to the Kyoto Protocol and climate change is in contrast to initiatives that local government around the country is pursuing in an attempt to reduce greenhouse gases in our global atmosphere.

The Greens candidate for the seat of Paterson, accountant Aina Ranke, told the Annual General Meeting of the Port Stephens Econetwork recently, that the Australian Greenhouse Office, which is the only first and only dedicated greenhouse office of its type in the world, strongly supports a greenhouse gas reduction initiative being implemented by numerous local councils around Australia under the Cities for Climate Protection Program.

"At the same time the Office omits the burning of wood for power generation in greenhouse gas emission accounting, even though as much as five times more carbon dioxide as coal-fired power is produced in generating an equivalent amount of energy. The Australian delegation to the recent Bonn conference is attempting to wreck the Kyoto climate change protocol by its insistence that the treaty be unenforceable with no penalties or policing for those countries that fail to meet their obligations. The message coming from Government is inconsistent." Ms Ranke said.

Over 125 councils representing 55.6% of the Australian population, including Port Stephens and Newcastle Councils, are working on a variety of climate protection strategies. These include energy efficiency and conservation in vehicle operation, residential and Council energy efficient power consumption and ecologically sustainable urban village design. Employing energy saving measures, 665 dwelling will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year - equivalent to avoiding around 13 million kilometres of car travel annually.

Ms Ranke is the convenor of a national working group that will be seeking community attitude to Government action on climate change, one of the focal points for the upcoming global Earth Summit 2002 Conference. The Greens strongly support research into and introduction of energy efficient technologies and ratification of the Kyoto protocol, with compliance mechanisms. "It is very encouraging to hear of the excellent initiatives local governments are pursuing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. But, at the same time, the Howard government has signed the death warrant on the biggest hardwood forests in Tasmania, which are being wood chipped, and insists on planting salt bush as a key to saving the world from warming. It's farcical," Ms Ranke said.

The books just don't balance. One arm of government is working innovately on addressing the problems of climate change, while the other is playing an obstructionist role in global negotiations on the very same issue.

Last updated February 4, 2003

Maitland Greens

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MIXED MESSAGES ON CLIMATE CHANGE

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	About News Media Releases Photos Contact Links				MEDIA RELEASES MIXED MESSAGES ON CLIMATE CHANGE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT : AINA RANKE 02 4966 1766 JAN DAVIS 02 4936 6260 The Coalition Government's attitude to the Kyoto Protocol and climate change is in contrast to initiatives that local government around the country is pursuing in an attempt to reduce greenhouse gases in our global atmosphere. The Greens candidate for the seat of Paterson, accountant Aina Ranke, told the Annual General Meeting of the Port Stephens Econetwork recently, that the Australian Greenhouse Office, which is the only first and only dedicated greenhouse office of its type in the world, strongly supports a greenhouse gas reduction initiative being implemented by numerous local councils around Australia under the Cities for Climate Protection Program. "At the same time the Office omits the burning of wood for power generation in greenhouse gas emission accounting, even though as much as five times more carbon dioxide as coal-fired power is produced in generating an equivalent amount of energy. The Australian delegation to the recent Bonn conference is attempting to wreck the Kyoto climate change protocol by its insistence that the treaty be unenforceable with no penalties or policing for those countries that fail to meet their obligations. The message coming from Government is inconsistent." Ms Ranke said. Over 125 councils representing 55.6% of the Australian population, including Port Stephens and Newcastle Councils, are working on a variety of climate protection strategies. These include energy efficiency and conservation in vehicle operation, residential and Council energy efficient power consumption and ecologically sustainable urban village design. Employing energy saving measures, 665 dwelling will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year - equivalent to avoiding around 13 million kilometres of car travel annually. Ms Ranke is the convenor of a national working group that will be seeking community attitude to Government action on climate change, one of the focal points for the upcoming global Earth Summit 2002 Conference. The Greens strongly support research into and introduction of energy efficient technologies and ratification of the Kyoto protocol, with compliance mechanisms. "It is very encouraging to hear of the excellent initiatives local governments are pursuing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. But, at the same time, the Howard government has signed the death warrant on the biggest hardwood forests in Tasmania, which are being wood chipped, and insists on planting salt bush as a key to saving the world from warming. It's farcical," Ms Ranke said. The books just don't balance. One arm of government is working innovately on addressing the problems of climate change, while the other is playing an obstructionist role in global negotiations on the very same issue. Contacts : Aina Ranke 0402 225 563 (m) Jan Davis 0417 422 738 (m) Last updated February 4, 2003 © 2003 Maitland Greens