Media Release
For Immediate Release
13th December 2015
Following two weeks of intense negotiations, and over 20 years of international conferences, a new global climate deal was finally agreed on by nearly 200 nations in Paris this weekend. Coffs Coast Climate Action Group welcomed the historic agreement, but emphasised that there is still a lot of work to be done.
“With almost every nation on earth committing to cut their greenhouse gas emissions, this is clearly a significant milestone in global action on climate change. The momentum has been generated from the ground up and it is a credit to the diverse individuals, organisations and businesses who have worked for this outcome,” said Liisa Rusanen of Coffs Coast Climate Action Group, “but this alone will not solve the climate crisis. We will continue to build movement towards the speed and scale of action that the science tells us we need to secure a safe climate.”
The Paris agreement includes a pledge to limit warming ‘well below’ 2 degrees and ideally 1.5 degrees. Ms Rusanen emphasised that this requires immediate action, beyond that which is on the table: “At just one degree average global warming, billions of people are already affected by rising seas and extreme weather. The 1.5 degree goal is safer than 2 degrees, but the actual country commitments put us on a path to 3 degrees of warming, which would be catastrophic. The agreement proposes working toward zero net emissions in the second half of this century - that is too late. To protect our farmland, coastlines, water resources and ecosystems, we need to act now. The agreement has a mechanism to increase ambition every five years, but this is the critical decade now.”
“While the world has now agreed that climate change is unquestionably our greatest collective challenge, our local MP Luke Hartsuyker has been asleep through this whole crucial conversation. What has he had to say on solving the climate crisis? It’s time to wake up, Mr Hartsuyker - the alarm bells are ringing!”
“The Australian government’s slovenly approach to the climate must end. We’re calling on Luke Hartsuyker and the Australian government to walk the talk and turn Paris rhetoric into reality. This means no new coal mines and a plan to transition to a fully modern, clean energy economy. This also requires providing finance and support to vulnerable countries to aid their transition and adaptation to climate change.”
“The most inspiring aspect of the Paris talks has been the huge cross section of civil society standing up for the climate – from farmers to indigenous groups, young people and trade unionists, from every corner of the globe. With our children’s future at stake, this movement for climate justice will continue to grow,” Ms Rusanen added.
Members of Coffs Coast Climate Action Group will gather outside Luke Hartsuyker’s office to deliver this “wake up call” at noon on Monday 14 December.
Media are invited to attend the action, which will include creative visuals:
Where: Outside 39 Little Street, Coffs Harbour
When: 12pm, Monday 14 December 2015
Media contacts: Catie Dale, 0413 211 162
Liisa Rusanen, 0403 646 787
For Immediate Release
13th December 2015
Following two weeks of intense negotiations, and over 20 years of international conferences, a new global climate deal was finally agreed on by nearly 200 nations in Paris this weekend. Coffs Coast Climate Action Group welcomed the historic agreement, but emphasised that there is still a lot of work to be done.
“With almost every nation on earth committing to cut their greenhouse gas emissions, this is clearly a significant milestone in global action on climate change. The momentum has been generated from the ground up and it is a credit to the diverse individuals, organisations and businesses who have worked for this outcome,” said Liisa Rusanen of Coffs Coast Climate Action Group, “but this alone will not solve the climate crisis. We will continue to build movement towards the speed and scale of action that the science tells us we need to secure a safe climate.”
The Paris agreement includes a pledge to limit warming ‘well below’ 2 degrees and ideally 1.5 degrees. Ms Rusanen emphasised that this requires immediate action, beyond that which is on the table: “At just one degree average global warming, billions of people are already affected by rising seas and extreme weather. The 1.5 degree goal is safer than 2 degrees, but the actual country commitments put us on a path to 3 degrees of warming, which would be catastrophic. The agreement proposes working toward zero net emissions in the second half of this century - that is too late. To protect our farmland, coastlines, water resources and ecosystems, we need to act now. The agreement has a mechanism to increase ambition every five years, but this is the critical decade now.”
“While the world has now agreed that climate change is unquestionably our greatest collective challenge, our local MP Luke Hartsuyker has been asleep through this whole crucial conversation. What has he had to say on solving the climate crisis? It’s time to wake up, Mr Hartsuyker - the alarm bells are ringing!”
“The Australian government’s slovenly approach to the climate must end. We’re calling on Luke Hartsuyker and the Australian government to walk the talk and turn Paris rhetoric into reality. This means no new coal mines and a plan to transition to a fully modern, clean energy economy. This also requires providing finance and support to vulnerable countries to aid their transition and adaptation to climate change.”
“The most inspiring aspect of the Paris talks has been the huge cross section of civil society standing up for the climate – from farmers to indigenous groups, young people and trade unionists, from every corner of the globe. With our children’s future at stake, this movement for climate justice will continue to grow,” Ms Rusanen added.
Members of Coffs Coast Climate Action Group will gather outside Luke Hartsuyker’s office to deliver this “wake up call” at noon on Monday 14 December.
Media are invited to attend the action, which will include creative visuals:
Where: Outside 39 Little Street, Coffs Harbour
When: 12pm, Monday 14 December 2015
Media contacts: Catie Dale, 0413 211 162
Liisa Rusanen, 0403 646 787