Demand science-based targets from your Government

With the Rudd Government's failure of an emissions trading scheme returning to the Senate on Tuesday, we Greens have been working hard to convince them to green it up.

To be environmentally and economically credible, the scheme needs ambitious emissions reduction targets and the array of design flaws that pay polluters to keep polluting and lock in failure need to be fixed.

Unfortunately, Minister Wong has told Bob Brown and Christine Milne that she would only discuss the Greens' proposed amendments if they first signed up to her woefully inadequate 5-25% targets. Obviously Minister Wong's demand that the Greens abandon both the science and any hope of a meaningful global agreement is unacceptable, and Bob and Christine have written to her urging her to reconsider.

Please tell Penny Wong that you want her to talk to the Greens and open her mind to meaningful, science-based emissions targets.

Remember, the letter will be more powerful if you write it yoursefl, but we have given you some pointers with the text below.

Name: *

Email: *

Postcode:

Subject: *

Message: *

Minister Wong, I am deeply concerned about your Government's refusal to put serious emissions reduction targets at the heart of your planned action on climate change.

You say you want the Opposition's amendments to be environmentally and economically credible but, to meet those criteria, any emissions trading scheme needs ambitious reduction targets, and the array of design flaws that pay polluters to keep polluting and lock in failure need to be fixed.

I am very troubled to hear that you have told the Australian Greens that you would only discuss their sensible amendments if they first signed up to your woefully inadequate 5-25% target.

Those targets cannot hope to prevent the climate crisis and they can only hold back hopes of a meaningful global agreement, since developing nations will not accept them.

A recent poll shows that 69% of Australians want the Government to negotiate its emissions trading scheme with the Greens. I am one of that great majority.

I urge you to engage in proper talks with the Greens and to open your mind to meaningful, science-based emissions targets.

Tips on writing your message:

Personalise your email as much as possible.
Start by stating that you're a local resident of your electorate, and explain why this issue: is important to you; affects your family and daily life; is particularly relevant to your local area.
Your MPs take personalised emails from their electors much more seriously than pro-forma emails. We strongly encourage you to add why you personally care about this issue.

Greens MPs

Demand science-based targets from your Government