Senator Kerry Nettle and the Greens NSW candidate for Lowe Marc Rerceretnam call on the State and federal governments to increase mandatory renewable energy targets (MRET) and impose binding targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% of 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 % by 2050. These measures are needed to avert catastrophic sea rises which will inundate coastal settlements in Australia and elsewhere around the world.

“Unless we take action to address climate change in 2100 shopping in parts of Lowe will be tough. So will walking the dog and playing cricket. These things will be hard to do ankle deep in water. That’s what we are facing if we don’t start taking seriously the effects of human induced climate change.” said Dr Rerceretnam.

“Estimates of sea level rise due to climate change range from nine and 88 centimetres by 2100 but this is thought to be conservative.

“The CSIRO has publicly stated that the risks for inundation of coastal settlements is ‘inevitable” with sea level rises up to 12 centimetres above the global average. With 80% of Australia’s population living within 50kms of the coast millions of Australians will be affected.”

Senator Nettle and Dr Rerceretnam have graphically demonstrated the effects on Russell Lea using a marker to show the water level in 2050.

“Modelling of the effects sea rises caused by climate change on suburbs close to Sydney Harbour undertaken by the University of Sydney show waterfront areas including Lysaght Park, are at risk from a sea level rise of less than a metre” said Senator Nettle

“The federal seat of Lowe includes a number of harbourside suburbs including Drummoyne, Canada Bay and Haberfield. With predicted rises in sea level many residents will see the value of their homes fall.

Senator Nettle said: “The Greens are determined to work with the community to ensure that governments introduce binding greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and mandatory renewable energy targets.

“John Howard will not sacrifice the economy to save the planet. Membership of Howard’s Task Group on Emissions Trading was confined to public servants and big businesses including BHP Billiton, Xstrata Coal and Alumina Limited. No green groups were included in the Task Group”