Mike Baird Calls For NSW Climate Change Summit 
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Monday 25 June 2007 MEDIA RELEASE Member for Manly Mike Baird has called on the State Government to show it was serious about climate change by immediately holding a summit on the issue. “Scientists, environmentalists, business people, the general community as well as politicians should be brought together to ensure we have the broadest possible discussions on climate change policy,” Mr Baird said. “At the moment we have a government that is only addressing climate change from a short term political perspective. Labor continues to talk tough and yet during this session of parliament has approved a new coal-fired power station and pushed ahead with plans for a desalination plant- both of which will add considerably to the state’s carbon dioxide emissions. “We need to take this debate well beyond politics. We need a group that will guide and direct this State on climate change issues. Unless we prioritise climate change we will not get anywhere.” Mr Baird raised the issue in Parliament last week and said Manly’s geography meant it was particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, a symptom of climate change, and local residents wanted to see concerns addressed properly. “Manly is bordered by the sea and any rise in sea levels as anticipated by climate change would have a disastrous effect on the area. The Corso could be under water and whole tracks of land could be lost. “That’s why we need a co-ordinated response and a summit would help ensure the best policies to combat the problem were discussed and eventually implemented. “Where is this government’s commitment to renewable energy? It is good about talking targets, but where is the action? A summit will establish real goals and actions that the government will be accountable to. “This issue is too big to be simply talking without acting. There is a lot to discuss and I call on the government to begin immediately.” Add to:          Write Comment
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