COPENHAGEN
The Age
Tuesday December 15, 2009
Our future is in the PM's handsA RISE of about 30 per cent in Australia's industrial greenhouse emissions since 1990 is completely unacceptable ("Carbon emissions soar", The Age, 14/12).Australians want our Prime Minister to take a strong and tough leadership stance. We want to be proud members of the world community when Kevin Rudd walks away after these negotiations.But most importantly, we know his actions over these coming weeks will be pivotal to the future of our nation and our species. Australia and planet Earth cannot sustain our excesses. She is telling us loud and clear. If we ignore her, she will speak louder and louder until we can no longer ignore her perilous message.If for no other reason than one of a sound insurance policy (and a much-needed reversal of rampant pollution), let us make the tough call in this generation, so that generations to come are not punished because we wilfully ignored the alarming warning signs.Prime Minister Rudd's actions now are key to our hope for the future. I appreciate his position is extremely difficult, but I ask him to look within himself and do what he knows is right for his children and the children of our wonderful planet.Nicole Robinson, KensingtonNo alternatives to EarthOUR so-called leaders continue to argue in Copenhagen. It seems to me that they just don't get it. Where do all the "it will cost too much to do anything", the "we're not doing anything unless you do" or the "we didn't cause it, you did, so it's our turn now to create emissions" parties think they are going to go to escape from the effects of climate change? Where are they going to get their food from, their water; where will they house their populations?We do not have another Earth. Climate change is real, and it won't be that long before it doesn't matter how right your argument was at Copenhagen or how rich you are, you will not be able to buy the solutions to these problems.Catherine Ryan, Point CookWinners will be losersTO MINIMISE Australia's responsibilities and obligations that come out of the global climate talks in Copenhagen, our leaders and representatives are deliberately hiding the truth of our carbon emissions, despite climate change already causing significant negative impacts across Australia. These will only increase if we fail to meet strong targets.If we "win" the low targets our leaders are seeking, we will certainly lose in the long run.Elizabeth Long, CollingwoodGlobal consensus a mustONE hundred thousand Australians walked the walk on global warming last weekend, letting the world know that we want strong action on climate change now. As Kevin Rudd makes his way to Copenhagen for the final momentous negotiations, it's time for our leaders to talk the talk and make some substantial commitments for Australia and the world. We need a powerful global treaty, not fudged figures, if we are to actually secure a safe climate for future generations.Angela Crocombe, Balaclava
© 2009 The Age
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