Sir Nicholas Stern, leading climate change economist and author of the internationally acclaimed Stern Review to the British government last year, has been in Australia warning business and government alike that if emissions are not cut over the next few decades, the country will face a bleak environmental future.
In a speech to the National Press Club, Sir Nicholas (left ) broke down into layman's terms why Australia and other developed countries needed to address the issue of global warming which has resulted in the dramatic weather patterns being seen internationally. He said that evidence from the recent and ongoing drought in Australia should set off alarm bells for Australians, identifying that we need to "change our ways because the climate has changed on you."
In meetings with both the government and opposition, Stern made a plea for Australia to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, even though it is set to expire next year. He argued that the international community need to join together to acknowledge the impact that greenhouse gasses are causing, but also to set targets in slashing current emissions. He said, "If the world were to heat up by around three degrees centigrade, you'd see quite radical transformations. Twenty to fifty percent of the species would probably become extinct. We'd lose the vast majority of our coral reefs."
In an Australian Newspoll held last month, one in three Australians saw climate change as a major problem. With a Federal election looming, politicians are taking notice of environmental issues and internationally influential and high profile visitors such as Stern.
For Sir Nicholas Stern's PowerPoint presentation, shown at the National Press Club in Canberra on 28 March, click here (632kb)
