As we know, the Copenhagen talks ended without agreement to set binding emissions reduction targets. The accord will list the voluntary emissions reduction targets by developed and developing countries, in Annexes to the main document. Countries are asked to provide their target by February 1, 2010.
Please join our action alert, and demand that Australia commit to deep emissions reductions targets in its February commitment.
As we know, the Copenhagen talks ended without agreement to set binding emissions reduction targets.
Instead, all that could be managed was a voluntary agreement, which was 'noted' rather than formally adopted.
If it is eventually enacted, it will fail to:
·   ensure deep enough emissions cuts to stop global temperatures exceeding 2 degrees Celsius,
·   offer enough money to help developing countries tackle dangerous climate change.
The
very existence of the Copenhagen accord will also make a strong, fair,
and legally-binding agreement more difficult to achieve in the coming
years.
Australia was one of the countries that lobbied for the
Accord. The accord will list the voluntary emissions reduction targets
by developed and developing countries, in Annexes to the main document.
Countries are asked to provide their target by February 1, 2010.
This is why we have issued this alert.
We
still have time to pressure the Australian government to atone for its
destructive behaviour at Copenhagen, by demanding it commit to deep
emissions reductions targets in its February commitment.
Please:
-    send the letter below to the PM and Climate Change minister – as soon as you can,
- Â Â Â
please cc the leader of the Coalition, Tony Abbott, so we can make it
clear that most Australians do not support his views on climate change, - Â Â Â circulate this alert to your friends and work mates and ask them to do the same,
- Â Â Â call the PM's office, asking him to adopt these targets,
- Â Â Â please write to your local papers on this issue: you can check the list of them at the end of this alert,
-    tell us how you go and what feedback you get – either through cc'ing messages to us at [email protected] or via our facebook page.
There is a detailed analysis of the Copenhagen talks and further information on how to take action available here.
It
is imperative that we don't give up hope. The world needs a global
agreement to reign in greenhouse pollution, while providing funding for
all nations to develop and adapt. We cannot let our government off the
hook!
CALL THE PM
Actually calling the PM's office will have a much greater impact than sending an email.
To contact Kevin Rudd's office, call:
02 6277 7700
NB: as of wed Dec 23rd, the PM's office is closed until Jan 4.
You can use the letter below to outline your concerns. When you
call, just explain that you want to leave a message for the PM, someone
will take a note.
You can also post your letter:
The Hon Kevin Rudd MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
STAND WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS
You
can also email these leaders of island nations to give them your
support and let them know you are calling on Australia to do the right
thing:
·   Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Mr Apisai Ielemia, who can be reached via his personal secretary: [email protected]
·   Prime Minister of Grenada, Mr Tillman Thomas: [email protected]
·   President Nasheed of the Maldives: [email protected]
·   President Anote Tong of Kiribati: [email protected]
·   Premier of Niue, Toke Talagi, can be reached via Secretaty to Government, Richarde Hipa at [email protected]
Best wishes for the summer and 2010, and thanks for taking action,
Friends of the Earth
THE LETTER
Please cut and paste this message (adding whatever detail you want) into the following forms:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/senators/homepages/contact.asp?id=00AOU
http://pm.gov.au/PM_Connect/contact_your_pm_form
(yes, it is slightly painful!)
Please also send a copy to Tony Abbott: [email protected] and cc us: [email protected]
----
The Hon Kevin Rudd
Prime Minister of Australia
The Hon Penny Wong
Minister for Climate Change and Water
Dear Mr Rudd and Ms Wong,
Australia must commit to deep emissions cuts in the Copenhagen Accord
I write to express my extreme disappointment at the outcome of
the Copenhagen climate negotiations and Australia's role in the poor
outcome that was achieved.
There was a resounding message from
our Pacific neighbours and other Island nations that we need to keep
overall global warming to a maximum of 1.5oC. The very survival of the
Pacific Island nations depends on this.
Australia's actions at
Copenhagen greatly undermined this voice – and hence any agreement to
act in a way that is commensurate with what climate science tells us is
necessary to avoid dangerous climate change.
It's time that rich countries, including Australia, started pushing for a strong and fair agreement.
I
urge you – in the strongest terms possible – to ensure that our
emissions reductions pledge we need to make under the Copenhagen Accord
early in 2010 are sufficient to avoid dangerous climate change:
·  Â
Australia must cut emissions by at least 45% by 2020 from 1990 levels.
I believe this is possible with the technology we already have, and
will yield a vast number of new jobs,
·   Australia must commit to
a 350 CO2-e ppm target to stabilise the atmosphere. Almost half of the
world's nations, including many African and other less-developed
countries – support the Alliance of Small Island States' call for a
plan to hold the world to 1.5 degree of warming,
·   We must put
new money on the table for developing countries for adaptation and to
allow support for a transition to a low carbon economy, which is not
contingent on developing nations signing up to the accord,
·   We must negotiate with governments from developing countries on an equal basis.
Most
rich countries failed to show leadership at Copenhagen, despite having
caused most of the climate change we are currently experiencing,
through their emissions over the past 100 years. This is our chance to
redeem ourselves.
It is not too late. I will not give up
demanding a fair and strong climate agreement that protects our planet
and protects the lives of millions of the poorest people.
The
accord will just list voluntary targets by developed and developing
countries, in Annexes to the accord. Countries are asked to provide
their target by February 1. I hope that Australia will commit to
meaningful targets. Based on current assessments of country promises,
the 2020 targets will head us towards 3.5-4 degrees warming, which
would be a catastrophe. I do not accept that Australia should 'do no
more' than other countries – as the world's worst per capita greenhouse
emitter, we must show leadership.
I want you to unilaterally commit Australia to cut its emissions by at least 45 per cent by 2020 on 1990 levels.
In short, I demand that you begin showing real leadership. Nothing less will be acceptable to me
Name
address
cc: Mr Tony Abbott
Friends of the Earth
--
Contacting the papers
The Age: email letters to [email protected]
The Australian: submit letter at www.theaustralian.news.com.au/files/aus_letters.htm
Australian Financial Review: email letters to [email protected]
Canberra Times: email letters to [email protected]
The Courier Mail: submit letter at www.news.com.au/couriermail/editorial/letter
The Daily Telegraph: email letters to [email protected]