One of Australia’s leading climate scientists has told a national gathering of AMWU officials that Australia is one of the developed countries most vulnerable to the consequences of rising temperatures.
Professor Will Steffen, from the Australian National University and a science advisor to the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee, addressed the AMWU’s conference on Tuesday to warn of the dangers of inaction on climate change.
“If we as a global community don’t do something now - then by 2100 the world will be extremely difficult for our future generations to live in.
“The first thing you can say is the Great Barrier Reef will be history, it will be reduced to rubble with an algae bed over it. If you look at the year to year variability – the average temperatures in Melbourne, for example, in summer will be in the 40s.”
He said Australia would bare the brunt of rising global temperatures in years to come.
“You don’t want to live in it. You don’t want to leave it to your grandkids.”
Professor Steffen said there was no doubt that the climate was changing.
“It is beyond reasonable doubt that human activities – in particular the burning of fossil fuels were to blame. The evidence is overwhelming and clear.”
He told the conference action to reduce carbon emissions was needed urgently.
“We have to start now so we can ensure we have an orderly transition, so we don’t disrupt jobs and industry. Science and policy is trying to address at what level can we stabilize temperatures and not adversely impact on the community.”
Professor Steffen pointed to other countries that had or were preparing to take action on climate change.
“China is aiming for a 40-45 per cent cut in CO2 emissions from 2005 levels relative to its gross domestic product.California will have an emissions trading scheme operating in a year. South Korea in a year or two and China will soon have a trial scheme in five or six provinces.
“There is a lot of action going on globally. Even in 1998, Sweden had a carbon tax in place. You pay a very large amount for any carbon intensive industry there.
“The result being that Sweden has reduced its fossil fuel sector to below 50% and is on track to decarbonise to 2050.”
He said with an carbon tax in place Australia had an opportunity to lower its carbon foot print and join an international coalition of countries committed to lowering temperatures.