Action urgent on greenhouse

Despite the acknowledged reality of global warming and the urgent need for action, the federal government last week reaffirmed its opposition to binding targets for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, which are due to be adopted by a United Nations-sponsored conference in Kyoto in December.

Speaking to the Australian Chamber of Manufactures on October 6, Prime Minister John Howard declared, “The government is not prepared to sign on to any agreement at Kyoto unless it is fair.” “Fair” is the government's code word for its insistence on “differentiation” -- itself a code word for a thoroughly outrageous position.

Put plainly, the government's position is that while other countries are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Australia should be allowed to increase its emissions! Such an approach could easily be adopted by other governments, destroying any hope of real improvement emerging from Kyoto.

The Coalition government's scandalously unfair special pleading is defended with the claim that reducing emissions would cost Australia “more” than other countries. If true, this would simply reflect the fact that Australia has higher per capita greenhouse emissions than most countries -- and therefore should do more than others to relieve the problem.

But the “cost” to Australia is exaggerated. What the government is in fact referring to is potential economic losses to a tiny minority: the owners of coal mines and energy-intensive metals processing industries. The rest of us, including workers in those industries, would benefit -- through increased jobs as well as through a cleaner environment -- from a switch to sustainable energy sources. (The government's last budget made big cuts to research on sustainable energy.)

The government's dishonest claims have been largely supported by the Labor “opposition” and the establishment media. As a result, the truth is not as widely known as it should be, and there is too little pressure on the government to change its position.

In these circumstances, a heavy responsibility falls upon the environment movement. The Howard government must not be allowed to block possible progress at Kyoto by appearing to have public acceptance for its reactionary and dangerous position. Real opposition must be heard, and heard soon, across Australia.

The Australian Conservation Foundation has proposed to other environmental groups that a national day of action on greenhouse emissions be held on November 30. This can be an important occasion to show the world that many Australians oppose Howard's irresponsible stand.

However, it risks being too little too late if it is not actively built in the next six weeks through speak-outs, rallies and a widespread campaign to tell the public the truth. Green Left Weekly will be doing everything it can to publicise this issue; we urge all supporters of a green future to make this campaign a top priority.

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