Act Now to Stop Climate Change
With an abundance of open spaces and sunshine, Australia could harness more renewable energy at a lower cost, than almost any country in the world. The review of Australiaﾒs Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) will determine how much clean energy comes from sources like wind, solar and bioenergy for decades to come.
Climate Action Network Australia (CANA) and its members are campaigning for a 10% increase in new and additional renewable energy by 2010. This would allow Australia to phase out unsustainable coal power and to create a strong renewable energy industry, relying upon clean, cheap and sustainable solar and wind power. CANA also call for the federal government to ban the burning of native forest for power. The current MRET is below 2%. CANA believe that an increase to 10% will mean better environmental, social and economic outcomes for the power industry.
The MRET Review Panel are no longer receiving submissions. If you have already sent a submission through CANAﾒs web site, thankyou for your support. We received 4500 submissions, which have been passed on to the Review Panel for consideration. This is a fantastic response! It will force the Panel to consider the large amount of public support for renewable energy, when making their final recommendations to the Government. If you would like to support the campaign further, write to the Prime Minister today and ask for ten percent new renewable energy by 2010.
Hon. John Howard|
PO Box 336
Gladesville NSW 2111
Cleaner Power, Cleaner Air
A 10% MRET will decrease air pollution from coal power stations, which emit carcinogenic particles, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide. Pollutants produced from burning coal may trigger respiratory illnesses such as asthma. Wind and solar power have zero emissions, so they do not contribute to air pollution, smog or the enhanced greenhouse effect.
Mitigate Climate Change
Renewable energy sources do not emit greenhouse gases, which cause the Enhanced Greenhouse Effect. Australiaﾒs average temperatures have increased by 0.7ﾺC in the past 100 years. Temperatures are expected to increase 0.4 – 2ﾺC by 2030 and 1 – 6ﾺC by 2070 (CSIRO, 2001). This will affect the spread of infectious disease and climate-related illness. Australia is likely to be affected by an increased incidence of Ross River virus, respiratory illnesses caused by allergens and more natural disasters such as flood, drought and other extreme climatic events. The Victorian Alps and Great Barrier Reef are an example of two conservation areas which will suffer the effects of climate change in the near future.
The Australian Medical Association support a 10% MRET
“There’s a growing human health cost to polluting energy sources like coal, oil and gas,” said Dr Kerryn Phelps, Australian Medical Association President. “We support expanding the MRET to 10 percent because it will translate into cleaner air, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and real health benefits for Australians.”
A 10% MRET has Widespread Support in Australia
Organisations supporting a 10% Mandatory Renewable Energy Target for 2010 include the Australian Medical Association, the Institution of Engineers of Australia, Greenpeace, Environment Business Australia, Planet Ark, Electrical Trades Union, National Union of Students, Oxfam CAA, Birds Australia, The Wilderness Society, Australian Conservation Foundation and the Australian Council of National Trusts among many others. BP Australia and the BCSE have also publicly called for a 10% MRET.
Bring Australia up to World Standards
Australiaﾒs current MRET of below 2% is insignificant when compared with Denmarkﾒs target of 20%, Europeﾒs target of 11% and the United Kingdomﾒs target of 8%. Clearly, Australia is lagging behind in the global shift toward renewable energies.
Shift to a More Sustainable Energy Industry
The Australian Wind Energy Association (AusWEA) estimates a 10% Mandatory Renewable Energy Target is likely to generate $10 billion in investment brought to Australian shores and will create an additional 3,780 jobs in the wind industry. The coal industry, on the other hand, has suffered from massive job losses. In NSW alone, employment dropped 40% from 1991 to 1999.
Better Regional Investment Opportunities
The opportunities for regional landholders to invest in wind farm projects will increase as the cost of wind energy technology decreases. Wind energy costs have dropped to one-quarter of 1981 levels and will continue to fall. Income and jobs generated from local wind farms will boost regional economies, allowing communities to be independent.
Wind energy ﾖ the new ﾑcropﾒ
Wind farms are a viable alternative for drought-affected farmers. They provide a reliable income for landholders and are not water intensive, unlike coal power. The current drought conditions, which are likely to worsen with the effects of climate change, require water conservation. Wind and solar power provide a ﾑdryﾒ alternative to water-intensive coal power.
The Time is Now
We have no option but to shift our reliance upon fossil fuel energies to clean, sustainable wind and solar power. The effects of climate change are already felt and will only continue to intensify if we do not phase out coal power. Now is the time to act, to ensure Australia has a strong, lucrative renewable energy industry.
Write to the Prime Minister Today!
For more information about the 10% MRET Campaign, Climate Action Network Australia or the wind energy industry, please visit the websites below:
www.thewind.info
www.cana.net.au