SYDNEY, Feb 8, 2019 – Supporters of clean energy last night gathered outside a New South Wales Labor fundraiser at NSW Parliament House, urging the party’s leaders to address the climate crisis by replacing the state’s ageing, increasingly unreliable coal fleet with clean and reliable renewable energy.Attendees at last night’s Premier’s’ Dinner, including NSW Opposition Leader Michael Daley and ex-NSW Premiers Bob Carr, Nathan Rees and Kristina Keneally, were greeted by a large digital billboard that featured burning forests, images of scores of dead fish floating in the drought-affected Murray River, and the message, “NSW Labor: The climate is in chaos. It’s time to act.”
“Voters in NSW are being impacted right now from the effects of global warming. The Labor Party needs to announce a credible plan to tackle the climate crisis. They can no longer ignore the rivers of dead fish, heatwaves, out of control fires and record-breaking floods across Australia,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific Campaigner, Holly Dawson.
“The people of New South Wales are crying out for leadership on climate change, and they’re sick of the games and political point-scoring. They want action on climate, and that means making big commitments to quickly increase the amount of clean energy in New South Wales – power sources like wind and solar that don’t cook the planet and poison our air.”
While Labor Party MPs and their donors dined inside the Parliamentary building, supporters of clean energy gathered outside. The group hoisted banners on poles to window level during Michael Daley’s address, displaying messages including “NSW needs a plan to address the climate emergency” and “Climate action now”.
Greenpeace activists also stood at the entrance to the Labor fundraiser, handing out leaflets that outline the pathway to a cleaner NSW. Climate advocacy groups including Greenpeace, the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, and Solar Citizens, are calling on all parties contesting the NSW election to ensure:
- The NSW Government tenders for at least 4000 MW of large-scale clean power, along with large-scale battery storage;
- All government operations are powered with 100 percent renewable energy, including schools and public hospitals during the next government (2019-2023);
- Every household (including low-income and rental properties) can access solar power within 10 years by introducing a Solar For All Rebate and helping families with solar install batteries; and
- Legislate for net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, and ensure all government decisions consider the impact of policies on climate change.
For photos and video:
https://media.greenpeace.org/Share/ams6573j70ods074iun35231r4yg4xan
Notes:
Climate action in NSW: Here’s the plan
For interviews:
Greenpeace Australia Pacific Communications Campaigner, Martin Zavan
0424 295 422