Around 200 Victorians gathered in front of Parliament House today to tell Premier Bracks and Victorian politicians “We Love Green Energy and We Vote”, for the launch of Environment Victoria and Greenpeace’s Clean Energy campaign.
“With Victoria’s greenhouse pollution continuing to rise, the key message to politicians will be clear: ‘You’re not doing enough about climate change’,” said Tricia Phelan, climate change campaign director at Environment Victoria.
“We want to see legislated targets to reduce our greenhouse pollution by 20% and increase the amount of renewable energy we use in Victoria to 25% by 2020. Currently Victoria uses only 3% renewable energy, with around 95% of the state’s electricity generated by burning polluting brown coal. We want to move away from coal-fired power and to see the State Government getting serious about investing in public transport and energy efficiency.”
“Climate change is the number one environment issue for the upcoming Victorian state election,” said Mark Wakeham, Greenpeace energy campaigner.
“The Bracks government has failed to address the state’s coal addiction and Victoria’s greenhouse pollution continues to grow. We want to see a shift to cleaner energy sources and are urging all parties standing for election this year to take real action on climate change.
“A recent successful community campaign in South Australia saw Premier Rann introduce legislation to slash SA’s greenhouse pollution and increase renewable energy. We call on all parties at state election to follow SA’s lead.”
Thousands of Victorians want to see political action on climate change. Greenpeace and Environment Victoria will be signing up people to take part in a Clean Energy campaign in the lead up to the state election, which will be similar to the successful community campaign in SA.
“Victoria is missing out – not only on the environmental benefits of renewables but also on the economic advantages,” said Mr Wakeham.
“Coal is the fuel of the past, renewables can offer the region more jobs and a secure future. But for this to happen the Government needs to stop subsidising polluting industries and instead invest in a clean future.”