Page 1355 - Week 05 - Thursday, 26 April 1990
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There are a number of specific big issues that the Government needs to address, and the greenhouse effect is one of them. It is now generally accepted that there is a gradual warming of the earth's temperature due to the release of detrimental gases into the atmosphere. It seems that it is difficult for the scientists, at this stage, to determine the rate and the amount of global warming, but we do know that in the interests of mankind, we have to start now to develop initiatives to respond to the greenhouse effect and plan for the changes that will occur with an increase in the earth's temperature.
I am releasing today a consultation paper called Developing an ACT Strategy to respond to the Greenhouse Effect, which has been developed by a working party of officials from all relevant agencies in the ACT Government. I invite public comment on the consultation paper so that the fullest debate on this most important issue can be generated at our localised level. Many of the initiatives proposed in the strategy are still at a preliminary stage and the Government is awaiting the report of the Standing Committee on Conservation, Heritage and Environment on an integrated energy resources and environmental policy for the ACT before finalising its greenhouse policy.
The proposed five-part strategy is based on: actions to limit the greenhouse effect by slowing down and reducing detrimental gas emissions; planning and research to direct our efforts to adapt to future climatic change; coordination and monitoring of research programs in other States and at a national level; education to develop community awareness and action, to ensure that actions can be implemented effectively; and coordination within the ACT Government to ensure implementation, evaluation and reporting.
The most immediate way that the release of greenhouse gas emissions can be slowed down is through reducing emissions of chlorofluorocarbons and other gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. Cabinet has agreed that legislation should be prepared to regulate the use of ozone depleting substances in the ACT and this will ensure that the ACT, at least, is able to implement the Australian and New Zealand Environment Council strategy for ozone protection and complement the Commonwealth Ozone Protection Act 1989.
In addition, the Government should be looking at ways of phasing out CFCs that are already present in refrigerators and cars in the ACT. Depletion of the ozone layer is a related issue to the greenhouse effect because chlorofluorocarbons not only harm the ozone layer but also function as greenhouse gases and contribute to global warming. However, carbon dioxide released by burning fossil fuels and wood for energy production is the major source of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and contributes 45 to 55 per cent to the greenhouse effect.
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