“Right now, the Great Barrier Reef, is undergoing the worst bleaching on record due to climate change, and it may get worse.
“But so far, Malcolm Turnbull and his government have disappointed Australians on a number of fronts. This includes a failure to commit to ambitious climate change policies despite the United Nations deal that was sealed in Paris last year.
“If returned to office, Mr Turnbull needs to use his mandate to take a principled position on protecting our environment, and honouring the Paris Agreement to the letter.
“Polls have shown time and again that Australians believe the government is not doing enough to tackle climate change. A credible climate change policy needs to look beyond the fossil fuels we burn at home and deal with the coal we mine and ship to be burnt overseas.
“The science is clear: for the world to limit global warming to below 2°C, over 90% of Australia’s coal must stay in the ground. That means moving beyond a mining-boom economy and embracing the industries of the future in sectors such as renewable energy.
“Mr Turnbull has already flagged the need to move in this direction, but we are yet to see any meaningful details. It’s time to spell out this vision so we can go beyond a coal-based economy and towards the innovative, technology-driven jobs of the future.”
Greenpeace Australia Pacific today launches its ‘Coal-Free’ campaign to call for a transition away from a coal-based economy and towards a future free from coal pollution that protects our climate and Reef.
“We are urging all election candidates to spell out what they will do to deliver a future free from coal, and how they will drive the just transition to renewable energy which is the key to protecting our environment and looking after workers left out in the cold by an industry in decline,” said Dr Casule.
ENDS