[ Tackling Climate Change ]

Young Labor is helping to tackle climate change by assisting with local community projects that protect the environment, and helping to elect a Rudd Labor Government that will take action on the issue.

You're voting for the future on Nov 24 John Howard has had 11 long years to act on climate change, but he doesn't understand the importance of tackling the issue. Kevin Rudd will ratify Kyoto, cut greenhouse emissions by 60% by 2050, and increase renewable energy like solar. Your vote this election is crucial. In a very real sense, you're voting for the future. View the video

Howard's asleep on climate change

John Howard is a climate change sceptic. After 11 years, he's still asleep on climate change.

The only way to get action on climate change is to change the Government.

		Howard's asleep on climate change (poster) See the campaign poster
		Howard's asleep on climate change (video) View the campaign video

What will Kevin Rudd do?

Kevin Rudd will act urgently and decisively on climate change to protect our future. He will:

• Ratify the Kyoto Protocol
• Cut greenhouse pollution by 60% by 2050
• Set a Mandatory Renewable Energy Target of 20% by 2020
• Introduce a National Emissions Trading Scheme by 2010
• Introduce rebates for rooftop solar panels
• Introduce low-interest loans of up to $10,000 for rooftop solar panels and solar hot water
• Spend $50m to establish an Australian Solar Institute
• Spend $50m to develop geothermal power
• Spend $500m on a Green Car Innovation Fund to drive manufacture of low emission vehicles
• Spend $500m on a National Clean Coal Fund so that clean coal technology enters the grid by 2020 and leads to near zero emissions by 2030

		Labor: taking action on climate change (video) Listen to Peter Garrett talk about what Kevin Rudd and Labor will do to tackle climate change. View the video
		Labor: taking action on climate change (petition) Learn more and help tackle climate change by distributing a petition urging MPs to take action. Find out more and sign the petition

What Young Labor is Doing

Education: In order to protect our environment, we must first know what problems it faces, and the extent to which they trouble us. To this end, Young Labor has been holding forums to raise awareness of environmental issues.

Regeneration: Many groups have dedicated time to preserving areas of our natural heritage. Young Labor contributes to community efforts to preserve the environment by joining some of these groups. Whether it is helping a local Landcare Group, planting a trees on National Tree Day or participating on Clean Up Australia Day, Young Labor isn't afraid to get its hands dirty.

In the past, Young Labor has assisted Landcare by planting trees to help regenerate the Central Coast.

As part of Clean Up Australia Day, 16 Young Labor volunteers joined the State Member for Parramatta Tanya Gadiel, Northcott Disability Services and the Parramatta Park Trust to clean up historic Parramatta Park by removing rubbish and planting trees.

Campaigning: Young Labor has been active in campaigning for a Rudd Labor Government that will take action on climate change.


To get involved, please contact us. Alternatively, you can send an email to Brendan Cavanagh, or call him on 0405 145 375 for more information.

Getting our hands dirty: Young Labor members plant reeds to help restore the Parramatta River riverbank during Clean up Australia Day.