Page 855 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 27 February 2013

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high CO2 concentration are driving a transition of the earth’s ecosystems into a state unknown in human experience, according to that World Bank report. Clearly, we must act now and act decisively if we are to avoid these scenarios. Indeed, I believe that we have a moral imperative to act now.

Recent weather conditions across Australia show how devastating the effects of extreme weather events can be on our lives, our lifestyles and our livelihoods. Since the beginning of 2013, only eight weeks ago, Australia has experienced devastating bushfires and widespread flooding rains with devastating loss of life and property, pushing the nation’s emergency services to their limits.

As the climate change continues for the worse, some of these extremes are likely to become more frequent and more intense, placing added strain on emergency services, health services and critical infrastructure, let alone the impacts on the community and governments.

It is important to stress that these scenarios are not played out in a distant, abstract future. The impacts that we are starting to see will be magnified in the future. Children born today, our children, will live this future and hold us to account if we fail to take responsible action now. I am often astounded by the moral poverty of those who argue that as the ACT’s ability to impact global warming is small, due to our size, we should hold off on action, or ride on the coat-tails of larger communities should they commit to responsible action.

This position denies the fact that global warming is a shared responsibility that cannot be shirked due to the inaction of others. Addressing the challenge posed by climate change requires action by everyone in our community—government, business, community groups, households and individuals. We must all understand that, while the impact of our individual choices may be small, together we can make a difference to enhance the future wellbeing of people and our environment.

One of the key priorities of Labor and this government is to ensure that, as our community addresses this issue, we should enhance social equity and provide practical support and assistance to low income households and other vulnerable members of our community. These are, after all, those who are at the greatest risk from climate change.

In September last year this Labor government released AP2—a new climate change strategy and action plan for the Australian Capital Territory. The development of this plan was informed by the most up-to-date climate science at that time, as well as professional economic and energy modelling. The draft strategy was overwhelmingly endorsed by ACT residents and businesses following comprehensive community consultation conducted over a three-month period.

The plan contains 18 actions to achieve four primary outcomes: ensuring a fair society in a low-carbon economy, minimising the ACT’s impact on global climate change by achieving the ACT’s legislated greenhouse gas reduction targets, strengthening the ACT’s capacity to respond to a changing climate, and creating a more sustainable future.


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