Greens WA spokesperson on Climate Change, Robin Chapple, has welcomed comments from UN climate chief Christiana Figueres, who has highlighted the NSW bushfires as an example of the ‘doom and gloom’ the world will face without vigorous action on climate change.
"We have experts, including climate scientists, who are openly saying that the link between climate change and fires is established and demands action”, said Mr Chapple.
“There is evidence that climate change causes drier winters turning our forest and bushland into potential fuel, which can create a very high fire risk earlier in the season.
“Greater risk of bush fires and other extreme weather events is just one effect of climate change in WA, we also need to consider rising sea levels with WA having the longest coastline of any Australian state and territory.
“The latest IPCC Report, released last month, identifies Busselton, Lancelin, Coral Bay, Derby, Mandurah, Bunbury, Karratha and Port Hedland as high risk areas due to predicted rising sea levels.
“The Barnett/Grylls government has ignored the issue of climate change and its future impact on regional WA for five long years, sitting on their hands while this state’s emissions have continued their inexorable upward trend (report). Unfortunately treating climate change as a minor priority won’t make it disappear.
“It’s time our federal and state governments listen to the two-thirds of Australians who accept climate change is real and having an impact, as the Climate Institute’s latest annual survey shows. We need serious policies to reduce our emissions and tackle climate change.
“If it is clear that the public see climate change as a crucial issue, why doesn’t our government?” concluded Mr Chapple.
For more information please contact: Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255
