Who do you trust on climate change?

The Greens challenge to the Iemma Government

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has introduced a private members bill, the Climate Futures Bill into the NSW Parliament. This bill is a blueprint to tackle climate change. It lays the foundation for a vibrant renewable energy industry and it halts the expansion of the coal industry. It also shows that real action on climate change doesn't have to cost jobs.

This bill is a challenge to the major parties who have failed to initiate any real action on climate change. Premier Iemma says that climate change will be a key issue in the NSW election, yet the expansion of the coal industry continues at an unprecedented rate. Coal leads to climate change and Labor's position does not add up.

Labor's additional 136 million tonnes of CO2 each year

There are at least 13 proposals for new coal mines and 9 proposals for expansion of existing coal mines currently on the table in NSW. These new proposals alone would have a combined production capacity of 56.9 million tonnes of coal a year. This will result in the emission of an additional 136 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.

The Stern Review put a social cost on every tonne of carbon of $85. This means that the new proposals alone would have a social cost of over $11.5 billion. Our environment and our economy cannot afford this addiction to coal. Every tonne of coal that is extracted and exported comes back to NSW in the form of climate change. At the local level, climate change threatens tourism, agriculture, infrastructure, and water security.

The Greens six steps to real action on climate change

1. No new coal
2. Reject "safe" nuclear power & "clean coal" as expensive, dangerous and limited in their ability to reduce emissions.
3. Create tens of thousands of quality jobs in NSW with renewable energy, public transport & manufacturing projects.
4. Real carbon pricing, not permits to pollute.
5. Targets with teeth for renewable energy, emissions and energy efficiency of appliances, buildings & industry.
6. A sustainable electricity industry.

Local action on climate change

All around NSW, local groups are forming to take action on climate change. In the Hunter, local businesses, vineyards and horse-breeders are joining together to oppose new coal mines. Greens councillors on Newcastle City Council recently passed a motion calling for no new coal mines, no expansion of Newcastle coal exports, and a plan for a just transition for the Hunter away from coal towards sustainable alternatives and a jobs-rich future.

Clean coal: the convenient untruth

Clean coal (carbon capture and storage) involves burying CO2. It is an untried technology that could be very expensive and dangerous. It will not be ready for at least 20 years which is too late. Labor and the Coalition promote clean coal as a distraction from the need to phase out fossil fuels.

Creating quality jobs in renewable energy

The Greens plan for action on climate change will create tens of thousands of quality jobs in NSW in renewable energy, public transport and manufacturing. At least 50,000 Australian jobs could be created by clean energy solutions to climate change. Premier Iemma's addiction to coal means that NSW is being left behind, as renewable energy projects head interstate and overseas. The coal industry is employing less and less people. At least 18,000 jobs have been lost in coal mining since the mid 1980s, mainly due to mechanisation. Less than 3% of jobs in the Hunter are in the coal industry.

Left: Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has campaigned hard for an end to new coal.

Below: Aerial view of open cut coal mines in the Upper Hunter.

Anvil Hill and other new coal mines

In November, the NSW Land & Environment Court found that the environmental assessment of the proposed Anvil Hill coal mine was defective. The court held that the assessment must also consider greenhouse gas emissions from export coal burnt overseas. Centennial Coal's proposed Anvil Hill mine would result in an enormous amount of greenhouse gases from the eventual burning of over 10 million extra tonnes of coal per year in Australia and overseas. The Greens have called on the Government to commission an independent inquiry into the environmental and social impact of all proposed coal mines and expansions to coal mines in NSW.

Take action!

Contact your local member of parliament to ask them to support the Greens Climate Futures Bill. For more information or to get involved, contact The Greens NSW on 9519 0877, on campaign07@nsw.greens.org.au.

VOTE 1 THE GREENS