[Peakoil] Climate change angle on Katrina

[Alex P]

All too often public figures are reluctant to link current tragedies with 
their political agenda.

It's good to see the Federal Opposition is not afraid to make the obvious 
point about Katrina with regard to climate change.

Notably, predictions have been made of environmental refugees fleeing 
climate change. Now it is actually happening in a Western nation.

Alex
O4O4873828

ACT Peak Oil discussion list
http://act-peakoil.org


_____________________________
        MEDIA RELEASE 

Anthony Albanese MP

Shadow Minister for the Environment and Heritage

Shadow Minister for Water

Federal Member for Grayndler

       


Hurricane Katrina – a Tragedy we must learn from 



Hurricane Katrina is a devastating tragedy that Governments around the 
world must learn from. 

According to the Boston Globe, Hurricane Katrina started as a relatively 
small hurricane, but was supercharged with extraordinary intensity by the 
high sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico.

The possibility that climate change contributed to the intensity of 
Hurrican Katrina should send alarm bells counding around the world.

Scientists have warned that global warming, induced by human activity, will 
increase the frequency and power of tropical storms.  

A recent Government report on Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability 
estimates Australia could be 2ºC hotter by 2030 and 6ºC hotter by 2070.  
According to the Report, a further 2ºC increase would be devastating for 
Australia, with more heatwaves and bushfires, extended droughts, reduced 
rainfall in southern Australia and extensive damage to the Great Barrier 
Reef. 

In the same way a 2ºC increase in human body temperature will make us very 
sick, climate change caused by the emission of greenhouse gases is making 
the planet sick.

A 2004 US State Department Report outlined a potential scenario by 2050 of 
150 million “environmental refugees” leaving coastal areas and islands 
vulnerable to rising sea levels, storms or floods, or agricultural land 
that’s simply become too arid.

The lesson of Hurricane Katrina may well be the sign that the abnormal has 
become normal.  

It is also a timely reminder that climate change isn’t just an 
environmental issue, it’s also an economic and social issue, and an 
emerging humanitarian crisis.

The thoughts and prayers of the Labor Party are with those affected by 
Hurricane Katrina. 





Friday 2 September 2005 For further information/comment: 

Antony Sachs    0417 493 485