In recent weeks, we’ve watched in horror as floods devastated communities across the east coast of Australia. And we’ve listened to stories from members of our community, struggling to get by on income support, who couldn’t afford insurance on the meagre $45 a day Jobseeker rate, and have now lost all their belongings.
This is the very frontline of climate change, and as we continue to experience more intense and frequent bushfires, drought, floods, storms, and heatwaves, because of climate change people and communities experiencing financial and social disadvantage will continue to bear the brunt of the impacts.
But we know that with the right policy actions to address climate change, we can create new opportunities and improve the lives of people facing disadvantages, from the cities to the outback.
That’s why we need the next federal government to urgently commit to a national plan to address climate change this decade, that has the needs of people experiencing income inequality, harm, and disadvantage at its centre.
Right now, while the impacts of climate change and flooding are at the front of our political leaders’ minds and a federal election looming, can you sign the petition calling on all federal candidates and MPs to commit to a fair, fast and inclusive plan to address climate change?
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Petition for fair, fast and inclusive national plan to cut climate pollution this decade
Rapidly worsening climate change is hurting our communities. Across Australia, we have felt the impacts of more intense and frequent bushfires, drought, floods, storms, and heatwaves. We are seeing first-hand the increasing devastation of climate change impacts on communities, to their mental and physical health, homes, jobs, the general quality of life and sadly, loss of life.
People experiencing financial or social disadvantage are impacted by climate change first, worse, and longest because they have access to fewer resources to cope, adapt and recover. It is already exposing people to greater levels of harm and disadvantage and is posing a particular threat to First Nations communities and to the future of our young people. It is clear that climate change impacts and a slow, poorly-managed transition to zero emissions are a major threat to ending poverty and inequality, and creating a fairer and more sustainable society.
Without rapid, fair and inclusive action on climate change, these threats will continue to worsen. However, a fair, fast and inclusive plan to address climate change has the ability to improve the lives of people facing disadvantages, from the cities to the outback. It creates opportunities for more affordable, healthier and reliable energy, housing and transport suited to a changing environment and access to jobs in the new energy economy.
Australia has committed to achieving the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius and pursue limiting it to a rise of 1.5 degrees. The science shows that to keep warming at 1.5 degrees Australia must do its fair share and reduce climate pollution by 75% by 2030. We call on political parties and candidates to commit to stronger targets and fair and inclusive policies to cut climate pollution this decade. 2050 is too late.
Delaying action will cost society more and make poverty and inequality in Australia worse. Rapid, fair and inclusive action on climate change can create new economic opportunities, healthier communities, more affordable energy and sustainable employment. We need a fair, fast and inclusive national plan to cut climate pollution this decade. [/perfectpullquote]