‘Existential threat': climate change risks finally grab Australia's attention

When Cyclone Evan slammed into Samoa five years ago next week, it triggered the near-complete loss of power and water supplies in the capital, Apia, and forced villagers to relocate to schools and the university for months.

An overhead view of Ejit, of the Marshall Islands, where
rising sea levels are already an inescapable part of daily life.

The category-4 tempest was the strongest to hit the Pacific nation in a couple of decades. For Samoan Brianna Fruean, one of the Pacific Climate Warriors, it was another sign - along with rising sea levels, and more intense floods and droughts - that action needed to be taken. 

"Climate change is happening right in front of our eyes," Fruean said this week on the sidelines of a meeting in Fiji of Civicus, a global civil society group.

Helen Clark - the former New Zealand prime minister and an ex-senior United Nations official - was also at the Suva gathering. Clark says she is not surprised by its central topic.

Read Peter Hannam’s comment in today’s Melbourne Age - “‘Existential threat': climate change risks finally grab Australia's attention.”

Luke Foley pledges to 'massively increase' rooftop solar if elected

Opposition leader Luke Foley is promising to "massively increase" solar generation in NSW if elected in 2019 by installing panels on the rooftops of government buildings including schools, hospitals and police stations.

Opposition leader Luke Foley is promising to "massively
 increase" solar generation in NSW 

In his budget reply speech to be delivered on Thursday, Mr Foley will also call on the government to invest in battery storage technology to avoid blackouts and pledge to not build the F6 extension through the Royal National Park.

According to speech excerpts released by his office, Mr Foley will note that on February 10 this year "NSW ran out of power" – a reference to the strain on the electricity grid during extreme heatwave conditions.

Mr Foley will say that due to inaction by the Berejiklian government, NSW is "staring down the barrel at the possibility of blackouts this coming summer.”

Read Sean Nicholls’ story in The Sydney Morning Herald - “Luke Foley pledges to 'massively increase' rooftop solar if elected.”