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| forest plan fools the greens? |
paraclete |
03/29/07 |
Forest fund better than Kyoto, Howard says
March 29, 2007 10:04am
Article from: AAP
THE Government's plan to stop regional deforestation would cut greenhouse gas emissions more than signing the Kyoto Protocol, Prime Minister John Howard said today.
Mr Howard said the $200 million plan would address climate change by slowing the rate of trees being cut down in Indonesia.
"As everybody knows, if you can do that you will reduce greenhouse gas emissions," he said on ABC radio.
"In fact, 20 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions come from clearing the world's forests and that is second only to emissions from burning fossil fuels to produce electricity.
"And it's more than all the world's emissions from transport. What this initiative will do, in a shorter period of time, is make greater contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions than, in fact, the Kyoto protocol."
Under the plan, Australia will form a global fund to fight illegal logging and forest destruction, principally in Indonesia.
It is designed to help developing countries start sustainable forest industries, plant new forests, stop illegal destruction of rainforests, provide monitoring of forest production and education in forest management, and help communities dependent on illegal rainforest timber find alternative jobs.
Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull said reviving forests was the only way to materially reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere in the near term.
"We will be working with other countries, developed countries, developing countries, to stop the destruction of the world's remaining forests, to promote sustainable management of forests, to promote new planting of forests," he said today.
Labor treasury spokesman Wayne Swan said the idea had merit but Mr Howard could do more closer to home by signing the Kyoto agreement.
"I'm pleased he recognises the importance of that (but) why doesn't he recognise the importance of this country getting on board with a comprehensive and ambitious agenda to combat dangerous climate change at home and abroad," Mr Swan said.
"That's the whole point. If he can recognise it (climate change) in Indonesia why can't he recognise it at home."
Labor Deputy Leader Julia Gillard said Labor would look at the proposal but also challenged the government to effect change in Australia.
The Australian Greens called the Government hypocritical for discouraging logging in developing nations while condoning the same activity here.
Greens leader Bob Brown said Prime Minister John Howard thought he could simply write a cheque to improve his climate change credentials.
"It's a stunning piece of hypocrisy that he is putting $200 million into stopping forest burning in South-East Asia while he is authorising forest burning in southern Australia," Senator Brown said.
"Under his signature yesterday, 14 massive forest burns took place in Tasmania, sending thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.
"Our Prime Minister is a forest fool."
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