Greenhouse action in lead up to Kyoto conference

Greenhouse action in lead up to Kyoto conference

By Amanda Lawrence

CANBERRA — A speak-out in Civic on November 21 organised by members of Resistance condemned the Howard government's stance on the greenhouse issue.

The Australian Conservation Foundation's Anna Reynolds, who will be attending the United Nations conference on climate change in Kyoto in December, told the crowd why a national day of action has been called for November 30, and why the Australian government should commit to developing and using renewable energy sources.

Resistance activist Will Williams spoke about the importance of demanding that the government adopt the legally binding target of a 20% reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2005. Resistance is distributing a petition including this demand.

"In refusing to adopt the reduction targets, Howard is using the same old reactionary rhetoric about 'acting in the national interest' and 'protecting Australian jobs'. What this really means is that he is protecting the profits of big businesses, such as BHP, one of the country's largest polluters, at the expense of our environment."

See the listings on pages 29-31 for details of the November 30 action in your city.

From GLW issue 299