Australians will step up the fight against catastrophic climate change, in defiance of the dismal targets released in the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme White Paper.

“The Government has run up the white flag and surrendered to the coal industry. The community has not,” said Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam.

“The Australian Greens will campaign for a 40 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Anything less surrenders the future of our children. We cannot let our government bend to industry on the dangers of climate change.”

“People voted out John Howard for his climate paralysis. Kevin Rudd may as well put on that green and gold tracksuit now. For all his promises, he’s just as bad.”

"The community needs Government leadership in building the new zero emissions economy. That means investing in energy efficiency, renewable energy and public transport, starting now. The Government’s continued ecological illiteracy is already costing the earth; soon it will be costing the economy as well.”

“The 2010 Federal Election will now be a climate change referendum.”

"The Government's target of reducing Australia's climate pollution by as little as 5% will see greenhouse gases go beyond 550 parts per million in the atmosphere. If we are to have a reasonable chance of avoiding runaway climate change, Australia would need to reduce emissions by at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2020, on our way to building a zero emissions economy.”

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