RE: Climate action and the poor. I believe that we have a moral obligation to be caretakers of our planet and of each other.
One person can make a difference by becoming more informed, making necessary changes in his/her own lifestyle (actions speak louder than words), writing letters to our political leaders and joining groups who are working towards the same goal.
Since the industrial revolution, the atmospheric carbon levels have been rising steadily with a 38 per cent rise from 1750 to 2008.
We have had a significant rise in average temperatures over the past few decades and the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – a body of 2000 world-acclaimed scientists) predictions have been so conservative that our climate is warming much faster than their studies show.
There will always be the usual climatic changes due to other causes but these levels are significant in the time frame we are discussing.
We are already beginning to experience more frequent extreme weather events – the Victorian bushfires and heat waves, drought, cyclones, storms, floods and icy winters in the northern hemisphere.
We have a window of opportunity in which to act quickly and as the world’s highest carbon emitters per capita, with the United States, we need to make a start.
The technology exists for us to make the transition in 10 years and Melbourne University is leading the way with their study “Beyond Zero Emissions”. By allowing the undeveloped nations more time, we are creating a more just and equitable world.
If we do nothing we will be paying more in insurance premiums because of their payouts, more in rates and taxes because of infrastructure repairs and more for food because of shortages due to crops being ruined by drought, floods and cyclones.
Our fuel prices are rising and it is a finite resource so it will not become cheaper. The poor in our community will be more affected if we do not act now.
We can make the government accountable for subsidising low-income earners as we make the transition. We are the generation who can and must make the necessary changes to preserve our planet and our lives.
Even with a rapid descent to zero carbon by 2020, we will still have at least 2 degrees of warming and will lose our Great Barrier Reef, ice sheets, animal species and agricultural growing areas. We have no time to lose!
PATRICIA FUNNELL
Ashgrove, Qld
