Global Climate Change Action

The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has reached a record high, according to new figures that renew fears that climate change could begin to slide out of control.

Scientists at the Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii say that CO2 levels in the atmosphere now stand at 387 parts per million (ppm), up almost 40% since the industrial revolution and the highest for at least the last 650,000 years.

The figures, published by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on its website, also confirm that carbon dioxide, the chief greenhouse gas, is accumulating in the atmosphere faster than expected. The annual mean growth rate for 2007 was 2.14ppm -
the fourth year in the past six to see an annual rise greater than 2ppm. From 1970 to 2000, the concentration rose by about 1.5ppm each year, but since 2000 the annual rise has leapt to an average 2.1ppm.

Scientists say the shift could indicate that the Earth is losing its natural ability to soak up billions of tons of carbon each year.

Climate models assume that about half our future emissions ill be re-absorbed by forests and oceans, but the new figures confirm this may be too optimistic. If more of our carbon pollution stays in the atmosphere, it means emissions will have to be cut by more than currently projected to prevent dangerous levels of global warming.

Monday 12 November 2007

Australian Greens Leader, Senator Bob Brown, and Greens Climate and Energy Spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne, today announced a ground-breaking new policy to boost jobs and keep people on the land in regional Australia, as well as to reduce greenhouse emissions, by helping farmers become renewable energy generators.

"Climate change poses a tremendous threat to regional Australia. The Greens want to help regional communities to profit from becoming a key part of the solution," Senator Brown said.

"The Greens Farming Renewable Energy initiative will establish Renewable Energy Development Zones to encourage investment in regional energy infrastructure and boost jobs in regional Australia."

Senator Milne said "A tragedy is unfolding in rural and regional Australia and neither the Government nor the Opposition are providing more than bandaid solutions with drought-relief cheques and hand-outs for leaving the land.

"Instead of abandoning farmers and regional communities to a hotter and drier future, the Greens' policies will enable them to generate income from their land even in drought.