Targets for climate change are wrong BAD news for farmers – the Abbott government’s somewhat fudged target to reduce carbon emissions is woefully inadequate.
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There is global agreement that all nations must jointly ensure the planet does not warm past 2 degrees Celsius, compared with pre-industrial levels.
However, even 2 degrees is considered dangerously high.
The first and most important test of the government’s target is whether it is in line with this limit.
The answer is a resounding “no”.
The government target is consistent with warming of 3 to 4 degrees, giving a “fail” on the most basic test.
It is the difference between avoiding the most catastrophic impacts of climate change and allowing them to happen.
Warming of 3 to 4 degrees would mean the end of agriculture in our region and an unlivable climate in North West NSW.
The government’s weak target also keeps Australia in the embarrassing and unpalatable position
of continuing to be the highest per-person carbon polluter in the OECD.
We are the highest per capita polluter now, and with the current target will still be in 2030.
It’s simply not good enough when poor nations are already grappling with the effects of climate change.
The Abbott government still has the chance to be responsible about tackling climate change and strengthen the emissions reduction target at the UN Paris Climate Change Conference at the end of the year.
Now is the time for everyone in this region who cares about leaving a livable Australia for coming generations to speak out and let the government and our elected representative, Barnaby Joyce, know that this matters to us.
Australia can’t afford not to act on climate change.
Our future depends on a healthy climate, and the longer we leave serious action, the harder it will be.
Dr Robin Gunning
Tamworth