[Pil-pc-oceania] Politics - 10-point climate action plan

[Robyn Francis]

For those following the political thread, the Socialist Alliance has
released its climate action policy paper and action plan. There was some pc
influences and input into this and other SA policy papers.
Have posted a quote and the 10-point plan below ‹ for the full rave:
http://greenleft.wikispaces.com/charter
Robyn

³Just as previous mass movements forced the Australian government to
withdraw from the war in Vietnam and stop plans to dam Tasmania¹s Franklin
River, so the movement to avert climate catastrophe must mean more than just
voting for change. It will need to campaign in the streets, workplaces,
schools and universities to win wide public support for the changes that
need to be made.

Imposing those changes also means challenging the capitalist market, which
has failed to protect future generations and can no longer be allowed to
stop us from averting climatic disaster. The measures outlined above are not
only absolutely necessary to prevent global warming getting out of control,
they also lay the basis for a society that is sustainable on an ongoing
basis, because they subordinate production to human and environmental
imperatives. We call that democratically planned and ecologically
sustainable system ³socialism², but whatever name it goes by it¹s what the
planet and its peoples need.²


The Socialist Alliance 10-point climate action plan

1. Aim for 60% overall emissions reduction, including 95% power station
emissions reduction, by 2020, and 90% overall emissions reduction by 2030.
Immediate comprehensive planning, including annual targets of 4-5% or more,
to meet these targets on time or sooner.

2. Ratify the Kyoto treaty and initiate a further international treaty and
mutual assistance program to bring other countries together to meet a global
target of 90 % emissions reductions on 1990 levels by 2030. Focus on cutting
rich industrial nations' emissions as a priority, and supply non-polluting
means of industrial and social development to poorer countries.

3. Start the transition to a zero-waste economy. In the first place,
establish an energy auditing department to investigate industrial energy
waste and recommend legislation or other measures to end it, including
improving or banning wasteful consumer products such as those with built-in
obsolescence. Engage workers in industry to redesign their products and jobs
sustainably, in consultation with the appropriate technical experts.

4. Set a minimum 10-star energy efficiency rating for all new buildings.
Require the fitting of all feasible energy efficiency measures to existing
houses upon lease changes, building renovations, etc., and subsidise
owner-occupiers for the costs. Allow renters to use the same system.
Immediately begin a program to install photo-voltaic solar panels and solar
hot water heaters on home roofs, subsidised or owned by the electricity
authority. Give commercial buildings a deadline to meet six-star energy
standards within two years, and 10-star standards within 10 years.

5. Bring all power industries under public ownership and democratic control.
Begin phasing out coal mining and power immediately. Ensure a fair
transition plan (including guaranteed jobs and retraining on full pay) for
coalmining and power-station worker communities, with new sustainable
industries being built in their areas and paid redundancies offered. Run the
maximum possible base-load power from existing natural gas and/or hydro
power stations instead of coal, as an interim measure until renewable energy
can take over. Coal to be used only for predicted energy peaks in the short
term until renewable energy sources replace first it, and then the natural
gas power stations as well.

6. Bring the immense manufacturing potential of the auto industry under
public control. Re-tool this industry for manufacturing wind turbines,
public transport vehicles and infrastructure, solar hot water, solar
photo-voltaic cells, etc., and for converting existing cars to electric
power. Subsidise the conversion of private cars to electric, plus buy back
and recycle unneeded vehicles.

7. Immediately begin constructing wind farms in suitable areas. Fund
research into further wind, solar photovoltaic cells, geothermal,
concentrating solar thermal, biofuel (from waste), wave and tidal generation
sources, with pilot solar-thermal and geothermal plants set up immediately.
Create a power grid with distributed, diversified electricity generation for
stability and efficiency.

8. Stop logging old-growth forests and begin an urgent program of
re-forestation and protecting biodiversity to ensure a robust biosystem that
can survive the stress of climate change and provide an increased carbon
sink.

9. End industrial farming based on fossil-fuel fertilisers, pesticides and
fuels. Restrict farming areas to ensure that riverine, forest and other
indigenous ecosystems return to healthy states. Assist farming to be
transferred to organic practices and decentralised to include urban farming.
This process must be undertaken at a rate that ensures food security, and
guarantees continuing work and livelihood for farming communities.

10. Make all urban and regional public transport free and upgrade the
network to enable all urban residents to use it for all their regular
commuting. Nationalise and upgrade interstate train and ferry services,
while making them cheaper than air travel. Reduce reliance on air travel
while ensuring equal but limited access, and aim to replace air travel with
trains (and ferries on Bass Strait). As much freight as possible to be moved
to rail. All rail and light rail to be electrified, other public transport
and freight to run on electric motors or biofuels from waste where possible.
Encourage bicycle use through more cycleways, bike racks on public transport
and more public shower facilities. Implement free or very cheap bicycle
rental networks, as in Barcelona and other European cities.

Authorised by D. Nichols, 23 Abercrombie St, Chippendale 2007.
Printed by Spotpress, 24-26 Lilian Fowler Pl, Marrickville 2204.
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