Federal MPs urged to back clean energy transition

ENVIRONMENT Victoria has released its plan for a state-wide Climate Action Open Letter, which will be delivered to federal MPs and prospective candidates prior to the upcoming federal election.

It has set up five community-based action groups across Victoria, each group seeking regional businesses and individual signatories for the open letter.

Last week, the Western Port Climate Alliance (WPCA) released its ‘Open letter for faster and fairer Australian Climate Action’.

Carmen Bush, spokesperson for WPCA, invites all in the Western Port region to sign the open letter, which calls for:

• A legislated plan to reduce Australia’s 2030 emissions to 75 per cent below 2005 levels;

• A reduction of our reliance on the burning of coal, oil and gas, the biggest single cause of earth’s current climate crisis;

• Rejection of heavy industry development around Western Port;

• Ensuring Western Port continues as a viable place of recreation, agriculture and ecotourism by enhancing local environmental services;

• The removal of barriers to community renewable energy projects; and

• Support packages to enable households to switch to efficient electrical appliances.

Carmen said: “Every Victorian community has a stake in moving our state and nation in a just manner beyond polluting fuels, to protect our natural world.

We call on our federal political representatives and candidates to back our vision on behalf of the people around Western Port, by committing to an effective plan to reduce and end our reliance on polluting energy sources.”

Carmen and others will be contacting community groups, businesses and other organisations to invite them to sign the letter.

If you would like more information or would like to sign the open letter, please email Carmen Bush at ccbush@bigpond.net.au.