To: Prime Minister John Howard MP 
To: Leader of the Opposition Kevin Rudd MP

Dear Mr. Howard and Mr. Rudd

Our members are drawn from the spectrum of this country’s people, from urban, rural and regional areas. They include small and large business operators and directors, parents, students, grandparents, farmers, migrants, and public service and other employees. Diverse and often dissimilar, we all share a common wish to see far more effective measures undertaken by our leaders to avert the dangerous climate change that scientists across the globe predict.

It is clear to us that the climate change initiatives proposed by both major parties, at the time of writing, will not bring about the necessary reductions in emissions to keep global warming below the danger threshold (agreed by the IPCC) of 2°C above pre-industrial levels by the time our young children reach adulthood.

There is a wealth of knowledge in the public domain regarding climate change, its current and predicted effects, its causes and, increasingly, the necessary steps and options to curb Australia’s contribution to this global crisis.

The existence of our many groups demonstrates a widespread understanding amongst voters about the need for sweeping, legislated changes to industry and society to tackle climate change effectively (a prime example being the comprehensive Climate Protection Bill developed by Climate Action Coogee and endorsed by 60 citizens’ climate action groups.)

We are writing to clearly express to you that:

A. Many Australians are prepared to make the necessary changes to our lifestyles to avert threatening climate change, including paying more for electricity.

B. We expect our government to swiftly impose measures that will cut greenhouse emissions from industry and domestic society to safe levels, and we will support and respect such leadership on this critical matter.

C. We are very much aware that there are substantial numbers of highly credible research papers and reports that demonstrate the viability of currently available, clean, renewable energy sources as being able to deliver the bulk of the energy needs of this country.

D. We are acutely aware of the significant contribution of the coal industry to climate change, both here and overseas, and are not convinced by the clean coal pathway. Exports of Australian coal contribute more to global greenhouse gases than all of Australia's emissions combined. Worldwide, there is no proven, working model for sequestering greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants. The technology to provide ‘clean coal’ may never come to fruition, yet time is of the essence. We feel that any party that consents to the expansion of such a dangerous industry in this age is not acting responsibly, or in the public interest.

E. We remain opposed to the expansion of the nuclear industry for all the risks it continues to pose globally and locally.

On behalf of the undersigned Australian citizens’ climate action groups, we ask that the Liberal Party of Australia and the Australian Labor Party pledge to:

1.      Legislate a greenhouse emissions reduction target of at least 30% below 1990 levels by 2020, to put this country on track for an emissions reduction target of at least 90% below 1990 levels by 2050, aimed at keeping the global mean temperature increase from pre-industrial levels to below 2°C.

2.      Legislate a renewable energy target of at least 25% by 2020.

3.      Cease the approvals of new or expanded coalmines, coal-fired power stations and coal export infrastructure, and support the development of alternative, sustainable industries in coal-mining regions.

4.      Adopt a target of zero energy growth by 2010 with annual reductions thereafter, through increased energy efficiency and demand management.

5.      Abandon any plans for the expansion of uranium mining and export, and the development of nuclear power stations.

We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Alison Potter for

Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle

PO Box 890

Rozelle NSW 2039

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

6 members, 500 supporters

Eat Cake and Save the World

78 Hope St

Brunswick VIC 3056

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ballina Climate Action Network

PO Box 787

Ballina NSW 2478

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Climate Action Newcastle Inc

PO Box 2359

Dangar NSW 2309

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

50 members, 500 supporters

Grey Power Community –

Eastern Suburbs, Ryde/Epping, Northern Beaches and other areas

GPO Box 3307

Sydney NSW 2001

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

250 supporters

Glen Eira Climate Action Group

c/- 3 Claire St

McKinnon VIC 3204

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

13 members

Ashgrove Climate Action Group

23 Caneby Street

Ashgrove QLD 4060

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

200 supporters

Kyogle Climate Action Network

c/o 321 Blackhorse Creek Rd

Black Horse Creek via Kyogle NSW 2474

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

30 members

Citizens Climate Campaign

7 Mission St

Katoomba NSW 2780

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

1084 members in many parts of Australia

Maroubra Climate Action

2 Oorana Ave

Phillip Bay NSW 2036

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mansfield Environment and Climate Action

Shop 3, 12-22 Highett Street

Mansfield VIC 3722

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

50 members

L.I.V.E. (Locals Into Victoria's Environment)

22 Young Street

Albert Park VIC 3206

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

200 members

Adelaide Hills Climate Action Group

PO Box 1145

Stirling SA 5152

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

14 members 69 supporters

Bayside Climate Change Action Group

23 Nelson Street

Sandringham VIC 3191

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

450 families

Melbourne and Batman Climate Action Coalition

56 Lucerne Cres

Alphington VIC 3078

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

13 members

Lake Macquarie Climate Action Inc

6 Corwen Close

Cardiff South NSW 2285

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

WeCan - Western Community Action Network

PO Box 926

Williamstown VIC 3016

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

6 members

Hills Against Global Warming

41 Solander Rd

Kings Langley NSW 2147

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Climate Change Australia – Hastings Branch

PO Box 2389

Port Macquarie NSW 2444

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

WE CAN - Willunga Environs Climate Action Network

14 Hill Street

Willunga  SA  5172

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ryde Gladesville Climate Change Action Group

PO Box 2064

Boronia Park NSW 2111

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Shoalhaven Clean Energy for Eternity

138 Princes Hwy

Milton NSW 2538

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jamberoo FutureCare

PO Box 97

Jamberoo NSW 2533 

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Climate Action Bondi (CAB)

58 Bondi Rd PO

Bondi NSW 2026

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Maroondah Climate Change Action – MaCCA

9 Dirkala Ave

Heathmont VIC 3135

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

17 members 200 supporters

BREAZE  — Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions

P.O. Box 319W

Ballarat West VIC 3350

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

455 online members, 200 financial members

Watershed

Rose Cottage, Goolwa Road

Middleton SA 5213

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

27 members

Green Coast Catalysts

PO Box 216

Bangalow NSW 2479

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

6 active members

The Courthouse Group (aka Newtown Local Climate Action Group)

c/o Tim Luckett

Brennan MacCallum Building (A18)

University of Sydney NSW 2006

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Binalong Climate Action Network

11 Queen Street

Binalong NSW 2584

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

12 active members

YCAN! (Yarra Climate Action Now!)

C/o - 21 Mater St

Collingwood VIC 3066

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

180 supporters

Pine Rivers Climate Action Network

C/o - 1062  Dayboro Rd

Kurwongbah QLD 4503

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

10 active members and 60 supporters

Nillumbik Climate Action Now

C/o - 145 Thompson Crescent

Research VIC 3095

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

60 members

Cool Change Adelaide

6 Wyatt Street

Glenelg East  SA  5045

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

12 members

Murrindindi Climate Network Coordinator
PO BOX 246
Alexandra VIC 3714
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

People for Environmental Protection 

PO Box 2032

Mt Waverley VIC 3149

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

18 members

Geelong Sustainability Group

PO Box 4236
Geelong VIC 3220

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

60 members/supporters

Energycare

GPO Box 84

Adelaide SA 5001

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

12 local members

WATCH (Wodonga Albury Towards Climate Heath)

2 Drewett Rd

West Wodonga VIC 3690

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Climate Action Pittwater

474 Barrenjoey Road

Avalon NSW 2107

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Climate Change Australia (Clarence Branch)

c/- Environment Centre

31 Skinner St

South Grafton NSW 2460

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

29 members

Bellingen Climate Action Group

1 Church Street Lane

Bellingen, NSW 2454

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

150 supporters

Mosman Clean Energy for Eternity

c/- John Warburton

PO Box 703

Mosman NSW 2088

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

CANWin – Climate Action Now Wingecarribee

PO Box 531

Bowral NSW 2576

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

79 financial members 207 associate members

Lighterfootprints

15 Faversham Rd

Canterbury VIC 3126

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 20 members 300 supporters

Clean Energy For Eternity SE NSW

 - Bega, Eurobodalla, Snowy River, Cooma-Monaro, Shoalhaven

14 Canning St

Bega NSW 2550

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Just Rights Queensland

 44 Fenton Street

Fairfield Qld 4103