Vic: Howard should say sorry to the environment

AAP General News (Australia)
02-16-2005
Vic: Howard should say sorry to the environment

MELBOURNE, Feb 16 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard should add the environment to his
list of those seeking an apology from him because of his failure to sign the Kyoto protocol,
green groups said today.

Staging a protest on the steps of the Victorian parliament, about 60 protesters waved
flags of the 141 countries that have signed the global warming treaty that comes into
effect today.

The protest started with a passionate kiss between two people dressed as a beaming
George W Bush and larger-than-life John Howard wearing a sash, saying: "I'm with stupid".

Taking part in the protest, Australian Conservation Foundation vice president Peter
Christoff said the federal government should be ashamed of its refusal to sign the agreement.

"One hundred and forty-one countries have ratified the protocol. Australia and the
United States are the only industrialised countries that aren't taking part," Dr Christoff
said.

"I think the global community is very clear of its understanding the worth of this
- the only global treaty to deal with climate change. Australia has just completely missed
out. I think it is shameful.

"Australians have to continue to pressure John Howard in particular to realise he has
to say sorry to the environment and it's time that he actually got involved in the only
game in town when it comes to dealing with climate change globally."

Environment Victoria spokeswoman Sarah Hudson said all levels of government should
be playing their part in preventing global warming.

"Obviously a national approach is the best approach, but in the face of no leadership
from the Howard government on greenhouse then we are urging the state government to do
much more," she said

"They (the state government) have made considerable inroads in terms of the five star
energy efficiency and wind farm and renewable energy efficiency, but we do believe they
should be winding back on coal.

"We want to be sending the message both on a federal and a state level and also to
the individual citizen that we all can do much more do reduce greenhouse emissions by
driving less, by using less energy and by signing up to green power."

AAP kl/gfr/it/jlw

KEYWORD: KYOTO AUST VIC

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