Jan Barham’s adjournment speech in NSW Parliament on climate change action.
Ms JAN BARHAM [1.34 a.m.]: Last month was Australia’s hottest October on record. Record hot days in Australia are now 12 times more likely than record cold days. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA] says that there is a 97 per cent chance that 2015 will be the hottest year on record. The United Kingdom Met Office reports that global warming has now exceeded one degree Celsius since pre-industrial times. The world continues to warm and the momentum for action grows. People, communities and businesses are looking to be part of the solution, recognising that we are capable of innovation, change and action to avert the collision course we are on with the catastrophic effects of climate change. More companies are starting to step up on climate action, as noted in an article at The Conversation by Anna Skarbek of ClimateWorks Australia. Pointing to the growing number of companies that have signed onto key climate commitments, she writes:
Progressive companies have begun setting ambitious emissions reduction targets, reporting emissions and shifting to low carbon technologies. Others are turning ideas into reality and delivering practical solutions on the ground.
Households are keen to take up the new, clean technologies that these innovative organisations are stepping up to deliver. Yesterday I was pleased to attend a briefing by Mr Heath Walker of Tesla Motors about the company’s electric vehicles, charging stations and household battery systems. Together with other members of this House I had the opportunity to take a test drive of Tesla’s Model S, an exciting car that shows the opportunity for zero emissions transport with innovative features that include a self-driving autopilot mode.
I am also proud to be involved in the establishment of Enova Energy, Australia’s first community-owned energy retailer. Enova aims to reflect the Northern Rivers community’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility by supplying clean, renewable energy, sourcing energy from local partners, investing in social benefit projects and supporting households that have limited capacity to make the transition to renewables, including renters and disadvantaged groups. But as Anna Skarbek notes, Australia cannot just rely on voluntary business action. Policy and regulation is needed to lock in a path to reducing emissions. Yet, as they have been doing for more than a quarter of a century, the State and Federal Governments, together with the largest opposition party, have continued to fail on climate leadership.
When this Parliament commenced, the New South Wales Government did not mention climate change in the Governor’s address. More recently, a submission to the Federal consultation on post-2020 emissions reduction targets prepared by the Government—which warned of the significant risks facing the State’s people, environment and economy without cuts in emissions—was not submitted, despite being sent to the Premier’s office for his approval.
The Federal Government is holding to its weak emissions target and continues to play an inadequate role in international negotiations. Today it was reported that the Australian Government opposed moves to ensure that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD] funding for new coal power plants would only go to the most efficient and least-polluting projects. Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten, visited Pacific islands threatened by rising sea levels, only to tell them that the Labor Party has no intention of stopping coalmining.
The many people and communities that recognise the risks of climate change are not going to stand by while governments allow the wellbeing of future generations to be put at risk. This week the Australian Conservation Foundation—supported by community funding—has launched legal action to challenge the approval of Adani’s Carmichael coalmine in the Galilee Basin. They will argue that Minister Hunt failed in his duty to consider the climate change impacts and especially the threat to the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef that would be caused by burning the coal from the mine.
The Greens are standing with communities, supporting innovative industries and pressing governments for action on climate change. Last weekend the Australian Greens endorsed the ambitious and essential goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. In New South Wales I have introduced a Climate Change Bill that would hold all governments accountable for having strong, comprehensive climate policies. I am proud that The Greens have been the clear, optimistic and strong voice on this issue. Every member of this House should consider how history will think of us if we waste time, if we lack courage, and if we fail in meeting the challenge of climate action.
Legislative Council Hansard, 11 October 2015