Robin Chapple MLC, Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region and Greens WA spokesperson for Climate Change policy, today blasted the State government for years of inaction over greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
“The Climate Commission report ‘The Critical decade: Extreme weather’ released today, and in particular its startling one-page summary ‘WA – Quick facts’ once again brings into sharp relief what climate change means for WA”, said Mr Chapple.
“The people of WA want action: the recent Shell Australia ‘Future Energy Survey 2013’ report confirms that over 60% of West Australians are saying that we should be reducing our CO2 emissions. They overwhelmingly support renewable energy; with over 90% believing solar is the way to go, and three-quarters also supporting wind power.
“The people of WA get it – they don’t need more reports to convince them – they know how much hotter each Perth summer is – they know our winter rainfall doesn’t fill the dams any more – they know the bushfires are more intense – they know why our outer wheatbelt farms get more marginal by the year – they’ve seen the footage of tornadoes in our suburbs and towns.
“They know who doesn’t get it – our State government with its appalling track record on reducing GHG emissions. Sadly, we also have a lame opposition, who chose not to utter a peep on this issue during the recent State election campaign.
“Only the Greens stand fully in support of the clearly-expressed demands of the WA people: our Energy 2029 plan shows the way forward to arrest the slide toward more extreme weather and our Climate Change Readiness (Coastal Planning and Protection) Bill will help WA adapt to the already unavoidable impacts of climate change”, Mr Chapple concluded.
Energy 2029 plan: http://www.greenswa.net.au/energy2029
Climate Change Readiness Bill http://lynnmaclaren.org.au/parliament/speeches/climate-change-readiness-coastal-planning-and-protection-bill-2012-speech
