academy of sciences climate report exposes farce of 5% target while gillard fails to mention climate change

The Science of Climate Change report released by the Australian Academy of Sciences today shows once again that both Labor and the Coalition must significantly lift their patently inadequate 5% emissions reduction targets.

The report comes as Prime Minister Gillard failed to mention climate change in her campaign launch speech today.

"Delay and denial on the climate crisis is simply unacceptable in the light of ever clearer scientific evidence," Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

"Prime Minister Gillard and Tony Abbott are completely out of step with the scientists, with economists and with the community - it's time for them to catch up.

"The fact that the Prime Minister failed to mention the climate crisis in her campaign launch speech today speaks volumes for how seriously it is being taken by the old parties.

"Both Labor and the Coalition must lift their sights to science-based emissions reduction targets, support the Greens' call for an immediate effective carbon price, protect our forest carbon stores and start planning for a complete transformation to zero emissions.

"The Academy of Sciences report released today outlines settled science and confirms what the natural world is already telling us.

"From fires and drought in Russia to the horrendous tragedy of the flooding in Pakistan and Niger to the 260km2 island of ice that has broken off Greenland, climate change is accelerating around us.

"In now warmer Tasmanian waters, the invasive sea urchin is destroying the giant kelp beds and the rock lobster industry with them because of climate change.

"This report should put paid to any suggestion by the ALP or Coalition that they take the science seriously. If they did, they would leave their 5% target far behind them and start planning for zero emissions.

"Climate consensus was on display in the streets yesterday, as Australians demanded that the government walk with them and not with the big polluters.

"The Greens are on the side of scientists and economists who say that deep cuts in emissions and urgent action are the right scientific and economic response. Denial and delay are more expensive in human and dollar figures than the strong early action that the Greens propose.

"Whose side are Labor and the Coalition on?"

The Academy of Sciences report is available at www.science.org.au/policy/climatechange2010.html.