22 February 2019
Activists urge Gladys Berejiklian to kick coal for clean energy after eight years of inaction
Premier Gladys Berejiklian was confronted by a protester as she addressed a forum in Sydney, who urged the Premier to “stop ignoring the climate crisis”.
The Liberal leader was speaking at the CEDA 2019 Political and Economic Overview at the Shangri La in Sydney when an elderly woman approached her with a banner calling on the Premier to stop ignoring the climate crisis and come up with a plan.
“I wanted to send a message to the Premier and my local member today on what I see to be a climate crisis in Australia," said Gabi Duigu, 76.
"I did this for my grandchildren’s future. Gladys Berejiklian and her government have had eight years to deal with the problem and they have done nothing - it’s unacceptable.
“There’s only one month to go until the New South Wales election. The Liberals and Gladys Berejiklian still haven’t come up with a plan to replace our old, unreliable power stations with clean, modern sources of energy.
“Coal is polluting our air and water and making people sick. The fish kills and deadly bushfires we’ve been seeing are signs that the climate is changing. I want Gladys Berejiklian to show some leadership.
"She needs to demonstrate that the Liberal Party is able to change. It’s time they cast off years of their denial by doing something to meet the climate crisis.
“As a grandmother, I am deeply concerned about my grandchildren’s future - but the crisis is now so severe I am just as worried about my children’s welfare.”
So far the Liberal Party has failed to come up with a policy to encourage any significant investment in renewables, and has indeed actually forecast coal exports to surge - despite having a net-zero emissions target. [1]
Greenpeace and Nature Conservation Council (NCC) activists outside the venue handed out flyers calling on the Liberal Party to act.
Climate advocacy groups including Greenpeace, the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, are calling on all parties contesting the NSW election to ensure:
- The NSW Government tenders for at least 4000 MW of large-scale clean power, along with large-scale battery storage;
- All government operations are powered with 100 percent renewable energy, including schools and public hospitals during the next government (2019-2023);
- Every household (including low-income and rental properties) can access solar power within 10 years by introducing a Solar For All Rebate and helping families with solar install batteries;
- Doubling New South Wales’ energy productivity by 2030 by investing in a range of energy efficiency programs; and
- Legislate for net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, and ensure all government decisions consider the impact of policies on climate change.
Notes:
[1] https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/nsw-government-projects-big-jump-in-coal-shipments-20190216-p50y8n.html?cspt=1550439836%7Cfe69bb65c92322d62694b7dcedd572df
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