Media release: Less than 350 action

350 INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE ACTION

The Safe Climate Coalition is organising a Perth event as part of the global day of action (350.org) on climate change to highlight the need to return to a safe climate with less than 350 parts per million of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Time: 12 noon
Date: Saturday 24 October
Where: State Parliament House carpark

Photo opportunities:

• Visual displays of less than 350 message
• Tug of War
• Critical mass cyclists will join the event

The protest is part of a global day of action with over 4000 events planned in 171 countries around the world. These aim to draw attention to the fact that the current atmospheric carbon level of 384 parts per million is already unsafe. Governments around the world should be aiming for a safe level of 300ppm. Achieving an interim target of 350 ppm is an important first step.

Protesters will also demand the state government play its part by reversing its plans to allow the number of coal-fired power plants in Collie to more than double, up from the present four plants to nine by 2013.

Spokesperson for the Coalition Kamala Emanuel said: “The state governments’ intention to more than double the number of coal-fired power plants in Collie in the next four years flies in the face of the clear need to get carbon in the atmosphere down to less than 350 parts per million and is the exact opposite of what a government concerned about global warming would be doing.”

Emanuel said that coal-fired power plants are amongst the biggest contributors to carbon emissions which are the primary cause of global warming. “The government should reverse its policy and declare a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants and plan for the rapid phase-out of existing plants” she added.

“The Barnett government should be devising comprehensive plans right now to switch to power generation by renewable sources – solar, wind and tidal.” Emanuel said.

For further information and interviews:
Kamala Emanuel 0417 319 662
Peter Langlands 0438 940 386