Rapid response needed

48 hours ago, the Government announced they want to pay for the climate disasters of today by killing the renewable energy projects of tomorrow.

Climate change means more extreme weather events1, so it makes sense to establish a permanent Climate Disaster Fund -- not just to respond to one off events like the recent floods.

There's a simple solution to fund reconstruction after extreme weather events, while also reducing pollution and supporting renewable energy. The Government must establish a permanent Climate Disaster Fund, paid for by ending the billions of dollars they're handing out to subsidise the use of fossil fuels2, most of which ends up in the pockets of Australia's biggest polluters.

Click here to sign the petition

The three Independents in the lower house all support a permanent natural disaster fund. The Government will have to negotiate with them to get its flood levy through, so we have a real chance to preserve the renewable energy programs the Government wants to cut and to set up a permanent disaster recovery fund paid for by ending polluter handouts. To save these renewable energy programs we need an immediate public outcry - please add your voice now.

Call on Prime Minister Gillard to pay for flood recovery by cutting fossil fuel handouts, not renewable energy

http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/ClimateDisasterFund

Around the world, governments are realising the irresponsibility of subsidising polluting energy while their citizens suffer from the impacts of climate change. Three days ago in his State of the Union speech US President Barack Obama announced an end to billions in taxpayer subsidies to oil, gas and other fossil fuel producers. He pledged to use the money to fund clean energy instead.

The Australian Government promised to end our own polluter subsidies at the G20 summit back in 20093, but continues to give these industries around $10 billion a year - that's over $800 from every Australian taxpayer. Given the need to set up a permanent climate disaster fund and respond to the realities of dangerous climate change, it's impossible for them to justify continuing to spend it on tax breaks for coal, oil and gas.

Together, let's end this policy madness.

Thank you for speaking out,
The GetUp Team

PS - Reducing fossil fuel subsidies can do more than help pay for the Queensland flood recovery. We can use the savings to fund an ongoing climate disaster fund to address the damage from future extreme weather events. Other countries have similar schemes, including the United States, New Zealand and Japan. It means future disasters won't require a levy or cuts to essential programs. Click here to help save renewable energy programs and support a long-term climate disaster fund.

Sources:
1 Hennessy et al., 'Australia and New Zealand' in Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 507-540, 2007.
2 Institute for Sustainable Futures, 'Energy and Transport Subsidies in Australia', 55-58, 2007.
3 'G20 Leaders' statement: The Pittsburgh Summit', 24-25 September, 2009.