Our 5th anniversary has given us a chance to reflect on how
far we’ve come.
And seeing so many of you here, still in our corner, fighting for action on climate change, with this support growing every day, fills me with hope.
Over the past five years, federal politics has let us down, but our community never has.
Together, we’ve had a huge impact - but we can’t rest on our laurels, as there’s still so much to do.
Our cause is urgent, so we must now turn our attention to the next five years, and the challenges ahead:
Over the past five years in Australia, home solar uptake has soared, while renewable power prices have plummeted; the world’s most powerful lithium-ion battery has been built right in our own backyard and nearly every state and territory has adopted a net zero emissions policy by 2050. And this is barely scratching the surface.
All this adds up to a sizeable shift in how we talk about, experience and act on climate change in Australia.
And as we look ahead to the next five, we must make the most of this momentum.
Good news is, the wheels are already in motion.
So, this is an invitation to stand with your head held high and join the ultimate challenge of this generation. Will you join us in demanding a cleaner, brighter future?
This fifth birthday is your victory. We never would have made it without your support.
So savour this moment - and channel that feeling into fighting for the next five.
With heartfelt thanks for all you do,
Professor Tim Flannery
Chief Climate Councillor
(1) Get the lowdown on this new topic area - transport - in our most recent report.
(2) Lethal Consequences: Climate Change Impacts on the Great Barrier Reef, Climate Council, July 2018
And seeing so many of you here, still in our corner, fighting for action on climate change, with this support growing every day, fills me with hope.
Over the past five years, federal politics has let us down, but our community never has.
Together, we’ve had a huge impact - but we can’t rest on our laurels, as there’s still so much to do.
Our cause is urgent, so we must now turn our attention to the next five years, and the challenges ahead:
1.The end of the critical
decade is fast approaching. And yet, Australia has gone from
a global leader to laggard, with no credible national climate policy.
There’s so much our leaders need to do before the end of the
critical decade in 2020, to protect Australians, our economy
and natural wonders from the ever more devastating impacts of climate
change. And there's so much that can be done to harness the
remarkable progress we’ve seen this decade with renewable
technologies and solutions.
2. A number of elections -
federal, state and local - are on the horizon. New
governments will be formed. Leaders will emerge. Legislation will be
drafted, and passed. There’ll be discussion, debate and uncertainty,
but there will also be opportunity for progress. And
as an independent organisation, the Climate Council will continue to
brief politicians and policymakers with our science-backed research on
climate impacts and solutions where - and when - it’s most needed.
3. Australia and the rest of
the world needs to reduce greenhouse gas pollution - and
fast. The electricity sector is our nation’s biggest
polluter, so with your support, we will keep pushing for emissions
reductions in this area. But Australia needs to make an impact in
other areas, too, such as transport, where we’re currently stuck in
the slow lane (1).
4. Climate change is worsening
extreme weather events in Australia. Heatwaves are becoming
hotter, lasting longer and occurring more often, and current
devastating drought conditions are leaving the eastern parts of the
country vulnerable to bushfires. Just this August, the NSW
Rural Fire Service declared the earliest fire danger period on
record. Compounding the physical threat to life and property,
our firefighters are also on the frontline, with longer and more
dangerous bushfire seasons leaving lasting impacts on their mental
wellbeing.
5. Climate change is
threatening our most treasured natural icons, like the Great
Barrier Reef, which could be hit with repeat coral bleaching events
every two years by 2034, under current greenhouse gas
pollution rates (2). Real action on the reef requires real
action on climate change, but so far, the Federal Government
has no credible climate action plan.
If one thing’s clear in all of
this, it’s that we have to keep going.Over the past five years in Australia, home solar uptake has soared, while renewable power prices have plummeted; the world’s most powerful lithium-ion battery has been built right in our own backyard and nearly every state and territory has adopted a net zero emissions policy by 2050. And this is barely scratching the surface.
All this adds up to a sizeable shift in how we talk about, experience and act on climate change in Australia.
And as we look ahead to the next five, we must make the most of this momentum.
Good news is, the wheels are already in motion.
If you want to determine the
shape of our next five years, now is the time to take a stand. By chipping in today, you’ll help us create the future
that you desire - one where people across Australia share the
abundant energy from the sun and the wind and are free from the
pollution of dirty fossil fuels.
We have the solutions. We have the technology. And we have the
people power.So, this is an invitation to stand with your head held high and join the ultimate challenge of this generation. Will you join us in demanding a cleaner, brighter future?
This fifth birthday is your victory. We never would have made it without your support.
So savour this moment - and channel that feeling into fighting for the next five.
With heartfelt thanks for all you do,
Professor Tim Flannery
Chief Climate Councillor
(1) Get the lowdown on this new topic area - transport - in our most recent report.
(2) Lethal Consequences: Climate Change Impacts on the Great Barrier Reef, Climate Council, July 2018
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