Parramatta Says Yes to a Price on Pollution and Yes to Renewable Energy

Members of the Parramatta Climate Action Network (ParraCAN) met with Ms Julie Owens Federal MP for Parramatta to discuss the outcomes of its survey involving hundreds of Parramatta households, as part of a national survey on renewable energy of more than 10,000 homes.

ParraCAN member, David Butler told Ms Owens, "Our results show that: 87% agreed that ‘Australia should put a price tag on pollution, so that businesses that continue to pollute are made responsible and those that don't pollute have an incentive to use clean energy’; 89% agreed that ‘the Australian government should develop a plan to move to 100% renewable energy like wind and solar’; and 89% also agreed that 'the government should implement strong policy to support new jobs and investment in renewable energy'."

ParraCAN members also discussed with Ms Owens the recent Climate Commission report which confirms that the global climate is changing, with surface temperatures rising fast and the last decade the hottest on record. Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation are identified as the primary cause. The report says that this is the critical decade and that decisions we make from now will determine the severity of climate change our children and grandchildren experience.

ParraCAN Secretary Bill Tibben said “Our members are pleased that Ms Owens indicated support for saying YES to putting a price on pollution, and YES to a cleaner Australia, but that ParraCAN believes Australia should immediately start a major transition to 100% renewable energy by 2020 if possible. The vital step in achieving this transition is to have a significant proportion of the price on pollution revenue invested in the development of renewable energy.”

ParraCAN members also drew Ms Owens’ attention to the recent report ‘Zero Carbon Australia Stationary Energy Plan’ which demonstrates how this transition could be achieved by 2020 using existing solar and wind technology, if there is enough political, community and business will.

Mr Butler also stressed “Gas is not a clean source of energy. It is not renewable, and its extraction and use may be more greenhouse gas intensive than the use of coal”.

Members of the public are invited to learn more at ParraCAN’s Price on Carbon Pollution forum at Parramatta High School hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday 6 July. 

(A photo taken at the meeting by David Butler is attached. ParraCAN President Annie Nielsen and executive member Phil Bradley are in the photos with Ms Owens).

For further information, please contact Bill Tibben, Secretary ParraCAN (0404 210 438 or parracan300gmail [dot] com).