Given the rare opportunity of the global spotlight to show that Australia is a responsible global citizen, Tony Abbott complained of his difficulties in making a visit to the doctor or a university education more expensive. And took every opportunity to champion coal. What an embarrassment.
In contrast, the other world leaders at the G20 meeting in Brisbane spoke of their determination to reach a global deal to address climate change. China and the USA, the two largest polluters, reached an historic agreement to increase their emissions reductions targets in the coming years.
Even conservative leaders like UK Prime Minister David Cameron believe Australia should do more. Leaders from across the world are coming together to tackle humanity's largest challenge. But here in Australia, Tony Abbott wants nothing to do with it, declaring that Australia will make no contribution to the multi-billion dollar global climate fund championed by US President Barack Obama.
Tony Abbott wants to bury his head in the sand, it's up to us to keep climate change front and centre of
Ignoring the advice of the world's climate scientists is something Tony Abbott has done for years. Now Treasurer Joe Hockey is ignoring the world's economists when he says that climate change is no impediment to economic growth. It's already happening. Climate change has increased the risk of extreme weather events like heatwaves, floods, and droughts.
The latest IPCC report makes it clear: we're running out of time. We can't let Tony Abbott hide from it at the next election. We need to be out there, day in and day out, reminding him that this is too important to ignore.
