12/17/08
There goes the neighbourhood!
Pacific Churches accuse Australia of effectively wiping out parts of the Pacific region
The Pacific Conference of Churches has criticised the Australian government as being gross under-achievers amongst the developed countries setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
“A proposed reduction of between 5-15% in greenhouse gas emissions will not put a dent in the global efforts to reduce the effects of climate change” said Mr Fe’iloakitau Kaho Tevi, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches.
“We looked to Australia as a country that has the future of the Pacific region at heart. With all the millions of dollars of assistance to the Pacific region to address climate change, the Australian government now places green house gas emission targets at such a level that would render this much appreciated assistance null and void,” Mr Tevi said.
“This announcement today is inconsistent with the overall actions of the Rudd government to date on climate change in the Pacific region.
“20-25% emissions reduction by 2020 based on 1990s level was the absolute minimum. Australia has just outdone the minimum!”
The member churches of the Pacific Conference of Churches face increasing consequences of sea level rise, coastal erosions, loss of cultural sites, loss of physical assets as a direct result of climate change. The Pacific Conference of Churches is concerned about the effects of these changes on the hope of some of our Pacific peoples and communities to remain on their islands and to retain their dignity as a people.
“Prayers alone will not save us now, what is needed is more cooperation and concerted action between the partner churches in Australia and the Pacific region to dialogue with the Australian government,” said Mr Tevi.
“If no concerted action is done, our children will have to thank Australia for its leadership in effectively wiping out parts of our Pacific region as a result of not being bold enough in global negotiations and strong enough in national politics.”
The Pacific Conference of Churches stands in solidarity with our partner, the Uniting Church in Australia, in their call for support. As stated by Rev. Elenie Poulos, National Director of UnitingJustice, “Australia will suffer much greater impacts from climate change than other developed countries if quick and decisive action is not taken. It is in our interests to lead by example”.
“A proposed reduction of between 5-15% in greenhouse gas emissions will not put a dent in the global efforts to reduce the effects of climate change” said Mr Fe’iloakitau Kaho Tevi, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches.
“We looked to Australia as a country that has the future of the Pacific region at heart. With all the millions of dollars of assistance to the Pacific region to address climate change, the Australian government now places green house gas emission targets at such a level that would render this much appreciated assistance null and void,” Mr Tevi said.
“This announcement today is inconsistent with the overall actions of the Rudd government to date on climate change in the Pacific region.
“20-25% emissions reduction by 2020 based on 1990s level was the absolute minimum. Australia has just outdone the minimum!”
The member churches of the Pacific Conference of Churches face increasing consequences of sea level rise, coastal erosions, loss of cultural sites, loss of physical assets as a direct result of climate change. The Pacific Conference of Churches is concerned about the effects of these changes on the hope of some of our Pacific peoples and communities to remain on their islands and to retain their dignity as a people.
“Prayers alone will not save us now, what is needed is more cooperation and concerted action between the partner churches in Australia and the Pacific region to dialogue with the Australian government,” said Mr Tevi.
“If no concerted action is done, our children will have to thank Australia for its leadership in effectively wiping out parts of our Pacific region as a result of not being bold enough in global negotiations and strong enough in national politics.”
The Pacific Conference of Churches stands in solidarity with our partner, the Uniting Church in Australia, in their call for support. As stated by Rev. Elenie Poulos, National Director of UnitingJustice, “Australia will suffer much greater impacts from climate change than other developed countries if quick and decisive action is not taken. It is in our interests to lead by example”.
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