Facts about our ecological crisis are incontrovertible. We must take action

We the undersigned represent diverse academic disciplines, and the views expressed here are those of the signatories and not their organisations. While our academic perspectives and expertise may differ, we are united on one point: we will not tolerate the failure of this or any other government to take robust and emergency action in respect of the worsening ecological crisis. The science is clear, the facts are incontrovertible, and it is unconscionable to us that our children and grandchildren should have to bear the terrifying brunt of an unprecedented disaster of our own making.

‘Humans cannot continue to violate the fundamental laws of
 nature or of science with impunity,’ say the signatories.

We are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction, with about 200 species becoming extinct each day. Humans cannot continue to violate the fundamental laws of nature or of science with impunity. If we continue on our current path, the future for our species is bleak.

Read the story from The Guardian - “Facts about our ecological crisis are incontrovertible. We must take action.”

Yes, we have a 'Climate Emergency'

Yes, we have a “Climate Emergency”.

Former Chair of the Australian Coal Association and former CEO of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Ian Dunlop, said:

“We are out of time for gradualist policy. We need courage rather than procrastination from our aspiring leaders. Emergency action is a call increasingly being taken up by leading scientists and responsible leaders around the world as extreme events escalate.”

A petition supported by a host of well-credential Australians is presently circulating and it says:

“We call on the Australian Parliament to declare a climate emergency and initiate a society-wide mobilisation.”

Visit Climate Emergency Declaration and sign the petition.

'Turnbull has betrayed his own words' - David Spratt

In 2010, Malcolm Turnbull said: "Our efforts to deal with climate change have been betrayed by a lack of leadership, a political cowardice, the like of which I have never seen...". Nothing has changed. Turnbull has betrayed his own words.

Australians understand an emergency: a situation of threat or escalating threat with severe consequences for life and property that requires urgent preventive intervention.

Our climate is getting hotter and more extreme, with sea level rises already in the system set to inundate our coastlines. A hotter climate will undermine global food and water security, and challenge how and where we live and work unless we take big steps right now.

We are out of time for slow, gradualist policy. The emergency action call is increasingly being taken up by leading scientists and responsible leaders around the world as extreme events escalate. “This is an emergency and for emergency situations we need emergency action," said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon almost a decade ago.

More than 20 prominent Australians supported a statement published in The Age on 23 June (pictured above) saying it was time to declare a climate emergency.

Read the story by David Spratt on Climate Code Red - “Emergency action is only sane response to escalating climate impacts.”