The Bureau of Meteorology’s Annual Climate Statement, released today, provides more compelling evidence that Australia must take strong action on climate change, said Australian Conservation Foundation
The key finding that 2014 was Australia’s 3rd hottest year on record characterised by frequent heatwaves and extreme storms provides further compelling evidence that climate change is already having a severe impact in Australia and elsewhere, and is only going to get worse unless we take action.
“This statement from the Bureau of Meteorology means there are no more excuses. With summer getting longer, hotter and drier, climate change is already creating conditions for longer heatwaves and more frequent bushfires,” said ACF Climate Change Manager Victoria McKenzie McHarg.
“This is part of a long-term warming trend due to climate change, and we are now faced with having the hottest and third hottest years back to back. Seven of our ten hottest years on record have occurred since 2002.
“As the World Meteorological Organisation said last month, there is still a window of opportunity to prevent dangerous climate change and preserve the planet for future generations. But we urgently need to cut pollution.”
“This is a global issue and all governments must act. Yet sadly, our government appears to be headed in the wrong direction.”
“The carbon price was working, but the government has scrapped it and allowed big polluting companies to pollute for free. At the same time they’re cutting support for clean energy, and trying to weaken the Renewable Energy Target.”
“We know what we need to do. We need to cut pollution by ending our reliance on dirty energy sources like coal. We need clean and reliable renewable energy.”
“2015 is a critical year. Other countries including the US and China are already acting, and the world is moving toward reaching an agreement in Paris to limit pollution that causes climate change.
“The Bureau of Meteorology’s Annual Statement provides the federal government with yet more compelling evidence that action is needed now,” said McKenzie-McHarg.
