If the world does not act now, and forcefully, the catastrophic effects of climate change will be far greater than the current pandemic
Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General
In its Statement on Climate Change, Zonta International affirms that climate change requires swift and decisive actions and the time for such actions is now.
Please write to your MP asking them to support the Climate Change Bill that is working its way through Parliament.
Let your MP know your views on this important climate legislation. Remind them that climate change threatens human rights, such as right to life, food, water, health, education livelihood and safety.
Ask them to uphold the principles of climate justice agreed to in the Paris Agreement and ensure that the most marginalized groups do not bear the brunt of the climate crisis.
Australia is a signatory to the Paris Agreement. However, according to the Climate Action Tracker,
- Australia has not implemented an effective climate policy.
- The Australian government has initiated a gas-led recovery rather than a green recovery, and has continued to signal its support for the coal industry.
- The government has shown no intention of updating its Paris Agreement target nor adopting a net-zero emissions target, with the Prime Minister specifically ruling this out.
- Renewable energy investments have dropped to 2017 levels due to the uncertainty in government policy direction.
- There is a lack of climate action, despite rising climate impacts such as the catastrophic bushfires that enveloped several states in late 2019 and early 2020.
For the last six months the Climate Change Bill has been working its way through the Federal Parliament. The Bill was introduced by independent MP, Zali Steggall. The Bill is currently with the Environment and Energy Committee that is expected to report in June on the public consultation process that took place between January and March.
For the Bill to be debated in parliament, either:
a) the government must agree that a debate should take place, or
b) a majority of MPs in the House of Representatives must support what is called a “suspension of standing orders” to pause planned business and debate the Bill. For this to happen, at least two coalition MPs will need to vote in favour of a debate.
Please use the links on the Climate Act Now website to email your MP, the Prime Minister and the Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister.
Now is the time to add your voice and stand up for a gender equal, sustainable future!
