Community approach required to tackle climate change: Garnaut
Professor Ross Garnaut, Mr John Parker, Mr Richard Elkington and Mr Gerard Callinan at the forum
Australian Government climate change adviser, Professor Ross Garnaut, has told a community forum at Monash University’s Gippsland campus that the transition to a low carbon future was a whole-of-community responsibility, requiring immediate action.
Speaking on the release of the Garnaut Climate Change Review Update 2011, Professor Garnaut told an audience of 250 people that while a low carbon economy would present challenges to a region such as the Latrobe Valley, there would also be many opportunities to address these challenges through new technology.
“Brown-coal burning power stations in the Latrobe Valley need not stay as high emission sources of electricity and energy forever,” Professor Garnaut said.
“There is a rich menu of possibilities and innovations that could turn these energy resources into much lower emission sources, and give quite a different future for the use of brown coal in this region.”
Professor Garnaut added that in order to effectively prepare for a low carbon future, the region could not afford to take a wait and see approach, and praised the efforts of local government, industry and other community stakeholders in being proactive.
“It is encouraging to see the Latrobe Valley community recognising that change has to take place… and seeking to plan for that change and shape the future, rather than just waiting to take whatever comes.”
With power stations in the Latrobe Valley providing almost 75 per cent of Victoria’s electricity, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Monash University’s Gippsland campus, Professor Helen Bartlett, said climate change was a key issue in the region, adding that Professor Garnaut’s decision to meet with local residents was well received by the community.
“There is no question that climate change – and the need to transition to low carbon economies as a result of this – will create significant and extensive challenges in a region such as the Latrobe Valley,” Professor Bartlett said.
“In addition to allowing residents to hear directly from Professor Garnaut himself, the forum has drawn attention to the social aspects of climate change, including the significance of community resilience and education.”
During the forum, Professor Garnaut was joined by a panel of community representatives including Mr John Parker (Gippsland Trades Labour Council), Mr Charlie Speirs (Clean Coal Victoria), Mr Richard Elkington (Regional Development Australia) and Professor Mark Sandeman (Head of Applied Sciences, Monash University Gippsland) who said the event highlighted the importance of holistic responses to climate change.
“Clearly, people in the Latrobe Valley will be among the first to experience the transition to a low economy as governments begin to enact policies to reduce the levels of fossil fuels in our energy, industrial and agricultural systems,” Professor Sandeman said.
“Ensuring our community is aware of the issues, and the responses being planned to address them, is an essential first step in the transition process.”
While much of the discussion focused on industry and major power stations in the Latrobe Valley, Professor Sandeman said successfully transitioning to a low carbon future would require change across the community as a whole.
“Our communities must not only be aware of the changes required, but prepare for them by developing greater efficiencies – from the smallest household to the biggest power station,” Professor Sandeman said.
“In my view, the Latrobe Valley has a bright future if we are prepared for the changes that will occur over the next 20 years and beyond.”