Introduction by Adrian Gattenhof:

We are here this afternoon to hear what the local candidates plan to do about climate change, and if elected, what strategies they will put in place to really address the problem.

"However, if we solved climate change tomorrow could we then go on with business as usual? If we put no more carbon into the atmosphere could we keep increasing our demand for energy? I don't think so. We must all realise we live on a finite planet. The days of "a frontier to colonise" have gone."

Adrian acknowledged the Bundjalung people had maintained our local environment in a pristine state up until white settlement and said, "imagine how proud we could be if we could hand over to our children an environment as pristine as when we first came here."

Adrian challenged the idea of unending growth to address the environmental problems. "We are living through a period of extraordinary prosperity If we don't have the resources to address environmental problems now, then when will we? This is strange logic, we need more growth to fix up the problems which stem from it. We need to move into a steady state economy. We need to live within our environmental and social limits, and plan an end to destructive population growth."

State Emission Reduction Targets and Dates to reduce Australia's CO2 Emissions

Annual Per capita Emissions
Australia	27.5 tonnes per person
China	3.05 tonnes per person
India	1.34 tonnes per person
Indonesia	4.74 tonnes per person
Philippines	1.37 tonnes per person
Micronesia	0 tonnes per person
Malaysia	3.78 tonnes per person

Adrienne Truelove (NCCAG) explained the seven points on which the candidates were to be questioned. "Australia has the highest level of CO2 emissions per person of any country in the world. In real terms our CO2 output per person since 1990 has increased by 50%. So how are we going to do it? " she said.

The Seven targets are a follows.

1. 25% electricity from renewables by 2020
2. Tax on carbon polluters
3. Government led initiatives on energy conservation and efficiency
4. Sign Kyoto now
5. Moratorium on new or expanded coal power stations
6. A genuine end to land clearing

"Seven planets worth of trees would be needed to soak up the present level of emissions. When all inputs are taken into account only 1% of the energy in the coal ends up being used by the end user. Renewables can supply baseload power." said Adrienne.

 

Review of Kyoto negotiations in Nairobi (Stephanie Long FOE International):

New South Wales and Coal
There are currently 14 coal and gas project proposals registered for the HUNTER region on the NSW Department of Planning website including: Anvill Hill Mine - 10.5 million tonnes per year for 21 years Abel Mine - 4.5 million tonnes per year for 21 years McArthur Mine and facility - 8 million tonnes/annum for 21 years Kooragang Coal Terminal - Increase capacity to export 120 million tonnes/annum

We must keep global temperature rise under 2degrees Celsius to maintain a stable temperature level. Some scientists fear we may already be in a runaway global temperature rise. Sustainable carbon budget is 2 tonnes/year per person by 2050.

 

Byron Bay High School student initiatives on CO2 reduction:

Chester Pierson BBHS student, said "Schools can lead the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by installing solar panels, energy efficiency, and buying green electricity. Unfortunately at present, the NSW Government is holding them back with red tape. "

How did the candidates compare?

The following chart summarises their responses to the seven targets.

Summary

NCCAG strategy	Greens Bailey	ALP Doriean	NATS Page
CO2 Targets and Dates	20% 2012 50% 2020 80% 2050	Minister for climate change 60% 2050	Target to stabilize climate change
25% renewable electricity target by 2020	20% 2012 50% 2020	10% 2010 15% 2020	10% 2010 15% 2020 20% 2025
Sign Kyoto now	Yes	Yes + Fed Labour	Should be signed
Carbon tax	Yes	TBA keep energy affordable to low income	Carbon trading only
Energy conservation & efficiency (transport home industry	Yes Phase out B-doubles Rail to Qld	Solar HWS funds for efficiency $10M climate grant $100m to reuse water	Reduce baseload, Electricity costs up, Subsidy for solar HWS
Moratorium on new or expanded coal power stations	Yes Develop plan to phase out coal	TBA -NSW coal is cleaner	Wean off coal No more coal Power stations
A genuine end to land clearing	Yes	Yes improve laws	Incentives to landholders to reduce land clearing
Dep't of Education & green electricity	Yes		Solar power for 200 schools Whole Gov't to green power

 

John Bailey Greens:

Very pleased to see that the environment is back on the political agenda. It was lost for a decade although it was definitely on the agenda in the early 1990s. Now there is so much concern that people are meeting in Climate Change workshops and setting up lobby groups such as NCCAG. And now there is a movie about climate change which won an Academy Award. This was unthinkable 10 years ago.

Global warming concerns all of us, as individuals, workers, business and corporate leaders, as well as the international community and the United Nations. What do we do? :

1. Reduce the demand for power and fossil fuels through energy efficiency,
2. Introduce carbon trading
3. Sign Kyoto,
4. Absorb CO2 which is already there by halting land clearing plant trees etc.
5. Better public transport and bicycle tracks.

Why don't the ALP and the Coalition tackle the big issues? because they take donations from coal mining companies, energy producers, and trucking companies. The big issues are going to be a carbon tax which involves doing something about coal mines. The Greens support expanding and investing in clean renewable energy sources. So, no new coal mines and no expansion of coal mines.

The State Nationals have no policies on Climate Change and there is nothing on their website at all. The Nationals engage in "greenwash". They sympathise, say it's a problem and do nothing about it. Conservatives nibble at the edges. They talk about subsidies for installing solar HWS, environmentally friendly cars, 2% ethanol in fuel, and a subsidy to install rainwater tanks in homes.

Don Page MP National Party

Both capitalist and communist economic models are driven by the economic growth imperative. We must gain control of this or we are in serious trouble. We need to encourage people to look at what they really need in life. A lot of what they think they need they don't need. "People must consume less enjoy more" said Don.

Nationals targets on Renewable Energy for NSW are: 10% by 2010 20% by 2020. Renewable energy must be provided in NSW. The price of carbon based energy must go up and this will drive investment in renewable energy.

"We need to wean ourselves off coal. My position is, I am not in favour of any more coal mines, and mothball the old and dirtier ones. Switch government agencies and schools to greenpower."

Don said he would not support a desalination plant.

I opposed Iraq I made the decision to stay inside the (NATS)tent and try and change it from the inside.

The audience was critical of Nationals lack of relevant policies. When challenged by members of the audience on whether "he would cross the floor?" Don replied "Yes."

Melanie Doriean ALP

Made standard ALP announcements including;

• Government has doubled the number of national parks. She says The Nationals plan to merge the Dept of Conservation and Environment with State Forests.
• Not in favour of a carbon tax, she says "Like the GST who pays? the end user!"
• ALP plans to create a minister for Climate Change and Water. Researching carbon capture(sequestration).
• No nuclear power stations.
• Transport: $30m refurbish for countrylink, cleaner buses ,
• Stop land clearing.

The closing of our Casino to Murwillumbah railway line and ALP policy on coal, came in for much criticism from the audience.