According to a report prepared for the Multi-Party Committee on Climate Change (MPCCC) by the 100% Renewable Energy Campaign, Australians overwhelmingly believe the government should be implementing strong policy to support new jobs and investment in renewable energy, but think the Federal Government is failing to support clean energy technologies like solar and wind.
Over 800 volunteers gauged the public support for renewable energy as response to rising greenhouse gas emissions, along with questions about whether money from a possible carbon price should be directed to renewable energy support mechanisms like a national feed-in tariff.. 14,000 conversations were carried out with members of the community in every Australian state and territory,
Responses were gathered over five months, from February to June this year, and the report’s authors say the results should be a signal to the MPCCC that Australians want action on climate change.
A summary of the 14,000 conversations shows that:
– 77% believe the government is not doing enough to support renewable energy;
– 91% believe the government should be implementing strong policy to support new jobs and investment in renewable energy;
– 86% believe Australia should be developing a plan to move to 100% renewable energy; and
– 75% believe that Australia should put a price on pollution to ensure that businesses are made responsible for their pollution.
The Australian Greens have congratulated the Campaign for injecting some “sensible conversation” into the climate debate.
“They have shown that, if you engage people in sensible conversations instead of feeding them misinformation and attack campaigns, [Australians] swing strongly behind both renewable energy and putting a price on carbon pollution,” said Greens Deputy Leader, Christine Milne.
“This is a clear message to Prime Minister Gillard that she is not doing enough to support renewable energy.”
