CLIMATE Action Group Armidale (CAGA) are ramping up their efforts ahead of the federal election, which is an action they wished the government would take in regard to reducing emissions.
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Despite the Coalition agreeing to meet net-zero emissions by 2050, CAGA believes they are leaving too much work to be done in the latter part of that timeframe.
The group is demanding more immediate action be taken to see genuine progress made by 2030, but is fearful that will not happen under the current government.
"I think a lot of people are thinking about this sort of thing right now given the circumstances we've experienced, in terms of weather and the extremities of weather that have been going on," CAGA convenor for Sustainable Living Armidale, Annette Kilarr, said.
"The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report indicates we're definitely not on track to reduce emissions by 2050, and we're not on track for 2030 for the kind of emissions reductions that we need, I think we're on track to increase emissions overall."
CAGA will be placing 'Climate Action Now' signs throughout the region pushing its cause, and hoping to put the environment front and centre of people's minds ahead of the election.
While Ms Kilarr said she would be happy to see serious change being made by any government, she is running out of faith the Coalition is taking it seriously.
"There is a strong feeling across Australia that we need national leadership on this issue. There are bits and pieces where different governments are doing good things, but the federal government is not leading in any way on this," she said.
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"Personally, I think the cognisant way in which the current LNP federal government is not moving in the direction, in terms of both leadership and the type of emissions reduction that needs to happen, I would say that a change of government is needed to get us even slightly forward on this."
Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England Barnaby Joyce remains adamant climate change is not Australia's biggest threat though.
Mr Joyce told the Leader if people are concerned about their children's future, or the state of the nation, then their attention should be focused on national security.
"My number one priority heading into this election is making the New England and the nation as strong as possible, as quickly as possible," he said.
"The biggest threat we face as a nation right now is the instability in our region and the growth of China as a military threat, I'm sorry if that offends people, but that is priority number one for me. People talk about a threat to our children, well, we won't get a bigger one than a military threat.
"The Coalition government committed to a net zero policy last year, and since 2005 Australia's emissions have already dropped by 20 per cent."
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