Kevin Rudd is coming to the party

Kevin Rudd will take his place at Copenhagen | Philip Ireland

Its official.

Kevin Rudd has announced that he will come to Copenhagen.

This is good news. With world leaders, comes more world leaders, greater negotiating power, greater publicity and most importantly (but not certainly) greater outcomes.

Many of us in Australia have been pushing for the Prime Minister to attend these talks and I would like to acknowledge and congratulate him on this step.

I must say, I also liked the language the Prime Minister was using at the press conference. He stated:

“The Copenhagen meeting represents a critical moment in international efforts to reach a robust agreement on global action to tackle climate change,”

Yep. I agree.

“With only weeks to go, time is running out, time is running out for us all, time is also running out for the planet,”

Absolutely.

“we need action for the sake of our children, we need action for the sake of our grandchildren.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Given the sense of urgency in these words and recognition that we need ‘robust’ (that’s such a Kevin word) action, I look forward to what the Australian Government is going to put on the table at Copenhagen.

I look forward to the Prime Minister breaking his silence on climate financing and offering substantial money (we’re talking billions), that is new and additional to current aid and aid commitments.

I look forward to the Prime Minister announcing much stronger greenhouse gas reduction targets that will inspire the rest of the world to go further

I look forward to the Prime Minister listening to and being changed by the voices from the Least Developed Countries and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). Voices that are calling for action that stabilises greenhouse gases well below 450 ppm which is where the Australian legislation is currently targeting (in its very best case scenario).

Prime Minister, we NEED your action for the sake of millions around the globe who cannot take strong action themselves. We need your voice to amplify the voice of the poor from this generation and in the generations to come.

The current mitigation and adaptation policies and plans the Australian Government currently has on the table do not reflect the urgency of the climate crisis, nor do they reflect the Prime Ministers words.

Let us hope and pray that our Prime Minister is convicted enough to take not just strong words, but strong actions to Copenhagen.

For the sake of the environment, and all humanity that depends on it.

I suppose if he forgets his words, or the reality which they represented, we will be there to remind him and Penny Wong and Wayne Swan and Malcolm Turnbull and every Australian politician.
For the sake of the environment, and all humanity that depends on it.

Peace,

Phil.