Australia

FOOD PRICES MORE AT RISK FROM CLIMATE THAN CPRS
The impact of extreme weather events on food prices dwarf the modest increases expected
under the proposed CPRS or even more ambitious emissions trading schemes, The Climate
Institute briefing paper Food Prices and Emissions Trading released today shows.

South east Australia has just sizzled through another heatwave. Of course it is just weather which has a natural variability. One weather event can't be pinned down as the result of climate change. Climate change is about trends and averages. And the trend is its getting warmer, we're sizzling.

In December Kate Jones, the Queensland Climate Change Minister, stated "Queenslanders are by

Christmas Elves and Farmers delivered 2 sacks of coal and 300 Christmas Cards from Brisbane residents to Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh on the 21st December protesting further coal mining expansion in nature refuges and farmland.

Greenpeace today unveiled a message for Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd: a banner on the iconic Sydney Opera House saying: "Stop the Politics - Climate Treaty Now". Five Greenpeace activists scaled one of the sails of the Opera House to do the banner drop.

24 year old Leah from Tuvalu addressed the Melbourne Walk Against Warming Climate Rally detailing some of the effects of climate change being felt now and calling for an ambitious, fair and legally binding climate treaty from the Copenhagen Climate Conference. According to news reports an estimated 40,000 people took part in the Melbourne march and 90,000 around Australia. See report on Australia Indymedia | Photos Melbourne Rally

Video : Engagemedia (5:58) or Youtube (4:15), Tuvalu at Copenhagen: 'The Fate Of My Country Rests In Your Hands'| Tuvalu makes a Stand | Tuvalu Climate Adaption Issues

While the world debates emissions targets and climate funding amounts for developing countries in Copenhagen, a new research centre was launched in Perth on December 3 dedicated to developing technologies designed to help establish sustainable, low-emission, geothermal cities. At the same time the Western Australian State Government is planning to double the number of coal-fired power stations at Collie.

Related: Activists plan first Camp for Climate Action

Two hundred people blockaded the entrance to the Australian Parliament today calling on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to secure a strong, legally binding treaty at the upcoming international climate negotiations in Copenhagen. Police arrested 130 people, although it is believed none were charged.

Climate Civil Disobedience action in Canberra | Coal Protestors in court over Brisbane Climate Direct Action | Switch off Hazelwood | Video : Damien Lawson on Civil Disobedience

Sydney IMC: Australian Firefighters demanded action on climate change from politicians in Canberra on November 19 while much of south eastern Australia sweltered and suffered with temperatures well above 30 degrees. Many regions were declared severe, extreme or catastrophic fire danger. The Firefighters carried a banner "Firefighters for climate change action now" demanded that the Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme be passed by the Senate.

Scientists have reported this week that the Climate Treaty is more urgent with Global carbon emissions still increasing. with Australia the worst emitter on a per capita basis. Scientists have also called for Emissions need to be slashed to save Great Barrier Reef.

Marine and climate scientists have called for at least a 25% cut in carbon emissions from developed countries like Australia to save the Great Barrier Reef. A 25% cut in emissions would amount to peaking at less than 450ppm atmospheric CO2 and a 50/50 chance of staying below 2 degrees Centigrade. And by 2050, emissions would have to decline by up to 90 percent below 2000 levels. Even with this scenario tropical reefs may be substantially degraded.

Related: Marine Scientists report: Ocean Acidification Accelerating; Severe Damages Imminent | Coral Reefs and Ocean Biodiversity threatened by Climate Change | Climate Change: Marine Scientists Demand Action on Greenhouse Gas Emissions