A diverse group of 40 signatories representing Western Australian health professionals, religious leaders, farmers, renewable industry experts, environmentalists and unions have launched a joint statement calling on all parties leading into the WA elections to provide decisive action against climate change. The Uniting Church WA is among them.
The coalition wants WA to become a renewable energy superpower and says the government must commit to rapidly transitioning the state to renewables.
An online petition has also been launched calling on the community to demand action from their candidates.
Professor Fiona Stanley says Western Australia has the economic and technical capacity to lead in the transition to renewables.
“We just need the political will to do so,” she said.
“Fossil fuels are a major contributor to air pollution, which is now close to tobacco as a leading cause of death globally.”
“It is immoral to leave our children and future generations with the consequences of our inaction.”
The statement highlights WA’s plentiful wind, solar and wave resources to power a renewables based economy.
In a low carbon world, a cheap and plentiful supply of renewable energy will attract energy-intensive industries and create much needed jobs.
With $US28 trillion of renewable investment expected across the world in the next 20 years, and four other states or territories in Australia already with their own renewable energy targets, WA risks being left behind in the clean energy transition if it doesn’t act now.
The group is calling for eight key political commitments to make the move to a clean energy economy, including:
- a WA-specific Renewable Energy Target
- a ban on onshore unconventional gas and fracking operations across the state
- a fair transition for workers and communities dependent on the coal industry.
Doctors for the Environment Australia’s Dr Richard Yin says climate change is already affecting the health and well-being of WA communities through extended heat-waves and droughts and increased bushfire risk.
“Many of the groups signing today represent those on the frontline of coping with impacts such as doctors, nurses, farmers, and church leaders,” he said.
“WA’s South West is the canary in the coal-mine for climate change.”
Christie Kingston, Goomalling farmer and Farmers for Climate Action member, says: “Our seasons have already changed and we farmers are adapting, but farming and landcare is getting more challenging for us and the climate projections are not good at all.”
“It’s time for all parties to lead WA and do its part to slow and reverse climate change damage.”
Read the full statement at http://renewwa.good.do/renewwa/pages/about/