The Australian election is just days away and how the political parties are responding to climate change is a hot topic. It is one of the key issues for Australian voters according to Compass – and the lack of strong climate policies prompted a surge of so called ‘teal’ independent candidates running for climate action. In Western Australia, independent candidate Kate Chaney is giving Liberal MP Celia Hammond a run for her money over what should be the safe seat of Curtin in Perth’s western suburbs. Even by Hammond’s admission, her own party’s election campaign has failed on climate.
IPCC scientists have made clear that leaders at all levels of government have only one decade to take aggressive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by, for example, investing in genuinely green energy. The continued funding of ‘blue’ or ‘low emissions’ hydrogen is in effect funding coal and gas – which will increase Australia’s emissions, not reduce them.
Clean State’s research shows that Australia, and specifically Western Australian, could be world-leading when it comes to renewables and innovative climate solutions. A greener economy will create hundreds of thousands of jobs and training opportunities. To achieve this, Australia needs ambitious leadership willing to invest in building our country’s capacity to generate renewable energy.
Australians deserve a government that listens to them. Many voters are experiencing the acute impacts of climate change on their homes, businesses, and families through the devasting effects of flooding, bushfires, and soaring temperatures. In fact, Googling climate-related questions has increased more than 5,000 per cent since the last federal election. While arguably climate policies might be thin, there is no denying that this election is all about the future of our unique country.
Still undecided? Check out our summary of where the Liberal-National Coalition, Labor and Greens stand on climate before you head to the polls next week.
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