British Protesters Target Australia
February 25, 2002
British Protesters Target Australia
Friends of the Earth campaigners will picket the Australian
embassy in London at 10am today to protest Australia¹s role in hindering
the international climate negotiations by refusing to ratify the Kyoto
Protocol.
Australia in bed with the USA with placards reading Don¹t Screw the Climate¹
will be the main focus of the protest, which is being held to put pressure
on Australia in the lead up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
(CHOGM).
Kate Hampton, Climate Co-ordinator for Friends of the Earth International
stated "Prime Minister Howard is hiding behind President Bush¹s rejection
of the Kyoto treaty to avoid taking action on climate change. Global warming
is already destroying the Great Barrier Reef and threatens many of Australia¹s
wildlife features and tourism sites. Howard¹s attitude is an insult to
Commonwealth countries whose existence is threatened by climate change.
The people of Bangladesh and Tuvalu will be forced to seek refuge in neighbouring
countries due to rising sea-levels. Howard should use the Commonwealth
meeting to show leadership in the fight against climate change and commit
to ratifying the Kyoto Protocol."
Friends of the Earth has also written to the UK Prime Minister Tony Blair
asking him to raise the issue of climate change and the Kyoto Protocol
with John Howard at CHOGM.
The United Kingdom has already committed to ratifying the Kyoto Protocol
in time for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD/ Rio+10¹)
meeting in Johannesburg in August, 2002.
The Commonwealth has committed itself to a more equitable international
society¹ and protection of the environment through respect for the principles
of sustainable development¹ and member countries are pledged to consulting
and co-operating in the common interests of their peoples¹.
"Australia is clearly not meeting the commitments it has made as a member
of the Commonwealth," said Friends of the Earth Australia climate spokesperson,
Tristy Fairfield, "Climate change is expected to have severe adverse impacts
on the majority of Commonwealth countries, especially non-industrialised
country members. Sea level rise is predicted to put millions of Commonwealth
citizens at risk and developing Commonwealth countries are expected to
suffer from an increased spread of tropical vector-borne diseases as well
as reduced crop yields. Many developing country members of the Commonwealth
do not have the resources to respond and adapt to the threat of climate
change."
"It is not good enough for the Prime Minister to support the US position
on climate change on the one hand, yet consider itself a responsible Commonwealth
member on the other. Australia should use the opportunity of CHOGM to
change its policy on Kyoto so show its support for true common wealth¹
rather than just its own short term economic advantage."
For further information contact:
Kate Hampton
International Co-ordinator
Climate Change Campaign
Ph: +44 (0) 20 7566 1723
Mob: +44 (0) 77 4896 7323