25.09.2018
Dear Chief Minister and Members of the Northern Territory Parliament,
We are calling on you to develop a comprehensive climate policy to:
Anthropogenic climate change – climate change directly attributable to human activity – poses a severe risk to the Northern Territory.
Impacts. The impacts of climate change on the NT include: increase in extreme heat days (over 35 degrees Celsius)[1]; increase in severity of extreme weather events; changes to water availability; and an increase in sea-level rise and extreme sea-level events.[2], [3]
Climate change threatens Territorians: it will impact our food and water security; our health; and the ecosystems we depend on. 2, 3 This will have adverse long-term economic consequences. We note that the most marginalised and vulnerable members of our community, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, are often the least responsible for ecological risks and threats but are the most affected by their emergence.
Net zero emissions. Consistent with our ratification of the Paris Climate Agreement, we must reduce our GHG emissions to net zero. All other Australian States and Territories (except for Western Australia), have committed to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050.
The Northern Territory Government has already shown a commitment to reducing our emissions (Northern Territory Roadmap to Renewables). There is substantial potential to further reduce emissions and reduce climate change-related risks posed to Territorians.
Opportunity. We need to manage future risk, make robust decisions, and take advantage of opportunities including: stimulating long-term investment and economic growth; ensuring healthier communities; and protecting our environment and existing infrastructure.
An enforceable whole of government approach needs to be implemented that protects people and country and ensures the ongoing liveability of NT communities.
We urge the Northern Territory Government to develop a comprehensive climate policy that has emission reduction targets and a plan for a just transition to a low carbon economy.
Signatories:
Wendy Morton
Executive Director, Northern Territory Council of Social Service
Dave Pugh
CEO, Anglicare NT
Julie Edwards
CEO, Jesuit Social Services
Rosalie Schultz
Public Health Association NT Branch
Michael Fonda
Doctors For Environment NT
Stephen Schwer
CEO, Tourism Central Australia
Donna Ah Chee
CEO, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress
Walter Shaw
CEO, Tangentyere Council
Joel Bowden
General Secretary, The Unions NT Executive
Sue Mckinnon
Chair, Landcare NT Inc.
Tony Burns
CEO, Helping People Achieve
John Patterson
CEO, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT
Shar Molloy
Director, Environment Centre NT
Jimmy Cocking
CEO, Arid Lands Environment Centre
Kelly OShanassy
CEO, Australian Conservation Foundation
Nicola Beynon
Head of Campaigns, Humane Society International
Martin Rice
Acting CEO, The Climate Council
Dominique Rowe
Program Director, Greenpeace Australia Pacific
Lyndon Schneider
National Campaigns Director, The Wilderness Society
Kelly Albion
Campaigns and Communications Director, Australian Youth Climate Coalition
Amelia Telford
National Director SEED
Cam Walker
Campaigns co-ordinator, Friends of the Earth Australia
Joseph Scales
National Director, Solar Citizens
Ben Oquist
Executive Director, The Australia Institute
Blair Palese
CEO, 350.org Australia
Vanessa Petrie
CEO, Beyond Zero Emissions
Donna Luckman
CEO, Alternative Technology Association
Kate Smolski
CEO, Nature Conservation Council of NSW
Mark Wakeham
CEO, Environment Victoria
Craig Wilkins
CEO, Conservation Council SA
David Barnden
Principal, Environmental Justice Australia
Dr Nicole Sleeman
General Practitioner, Wuchopperen Health Service, Cairns.
Associate Professor Tim Cohen
ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, GeoQuest Research Centre – Co-Director, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences/SMAH, University of Wollongong
Professor John Church
Climate Change Research Centre, University of New South Wales
Professor Mark L Wahlqvist AO
Monash University
Professor John Quiggin
VC Senior Research Fellow
School of Economics, University of Queensland