WHY STOP CLIMATE CHANGE?

 Globally, glaciers are melting and sea ice is declining

 Atmospheric C02 concentrations are higher now than at any time in the past 160,000 years, and still rising.

 Humans dump about seven billion tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere every year.

 An increase of only 1 0 C in average world temperatures would cause entire forests to disappear. If we continue burning fossil fuels at the current rate:

 Global temperatures may increase up to 3.5 0 C by 2100.

 Sea levels may rise by as much as 50cms by 2100.

 1998 was the 20th consecutive year with above normal global temperatures.

 July 1998 was the world’s hottest month on record

 Entire South Pacific island nations could be swamped by rising sea levels and storm surges.

 Millions of people in low lying coastal nations, such as Bangladesh, could be displaced by rising sea levels.

 Conditions favorable to diseases like malaria and dengue fever will likely spread to new areas.

 We believe there should be an inter-nationally agreed limit on the amount of fossil fuels that can be burnt for energy.

 We are calling on investment compa-nies to stop financ-ing the fossil fuel industry and direct investments toward sustainable energy sources.

 Australian temperatures have been increasing since the 1950s.

“The balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate - that is we are already seeing the first signs of climate change”.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Second Assessment Report, 1995

Since the industrial revolution, the burning of fossil fuels (oil, coal and gas) and deforestation have dramati-cally added to natural greenhouse gas levels. There is overwhelming evidence that this extra greenhouse pollu-tion is causing irreversible changes to the world’s climate. Without urgent action to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and develop clean energy alternatives, humans risk catastrophic climate effects. There is a naturally occur-ring greenhouse effect that keeps the planet warm enough for life to exist - a blanket of gases, including carbon diox-ide, that let the sun’s warming rays in, and prevent some heat from escaping. But natural lev-els of carbon dioxide are being dramatically increased by the burning of fossil fuels; oil, coal and gas. Humans burn fossil fuels to power everything from cars and appliances, to factories and infrastructure. Carbon dioxide -or C0 2 - is released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burnt, and it is this extra C0 2 that is interfering with the Earth’s natural cooling and ventilation systems and chang-ing the global climate. We are disrupting the natural balance of our atmosphere and no one knows exactly what will hap-pen. But scientists have made some alarming projec- tions. In Australia we can  expect wetter summers and drier winters, leading to more flooding in some areas, and drought in others. Rising sea temperatures could kill the Great Barrier Reef within 30 years, if climate change pre-dictions from bodies such as the CSIRO are correct. Our shorelines will be threatened by rising sea levels, while cyclonic conditions twinned with high tides could lead to storm surges – huge swellings of water, 60-80km wide, that can inundate entire coastal settlements. Water shortages are also possible. Conditions for tropical diseases are likely to spread. Native wildlife species already under threat, such as the bilby, the hairy-nosed wombat, and the mountain pygmy-possum could disappear entirely as their habitats retreat or vanish.

At Home

 Turn off lights, appliances and computers when not in use

 Don’t use the stand-by function on your TV – it will still burn power

 Fit a water-efficient shower head, repair dripping taps, limit all water use

 Buy products made from recycled materials

 Buy energy efficient appliances and lightbulbs

 Buy locally produced food to save on fuels used in transport

 Keep your car air conditioning in excellent condition - leaking coolants are a powerful greenhouse gas

 Install solar powered hot water

At Work

 Turn off equipment when not in use

 Encourage your company to choose energy-efficient equipment and vehicles

 Walk, cycle or take public transport to work - suggest a car pool

 Keep office equipment in good repair