Source: ABC
URL: http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2547807.htm
Date: 20/04/2009
Event: Penny Sackett: "we have six years to reverse the trend from increasing CO2 emissions"
Credit: ABC
People:
Lisa Millar: Australia's chief scientist says the world has six years to reverse the trend of increasing carbon dioxide emissions to avoid damaging climate change. Professor Penny Sackett says the evidence is clear the planet is warming due to human activity and she's "surprised" politicians are still discussing the merits of the science. The chief scientist says Australia should set the steepest possible target now; a target she's shared in private discussions with the Government but is reluctant to reveal publicly. PM's Sabra Lane spoke with Professor Sackett and started by asking her if human induced climate change is real.
Penny Sackett: It is an issue and it's very serious. We know that the rate at which we are putting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is increasing rather than decreasing, which is what we need to do to halt the affects of climate change. And we also know that if we want to maintain that level of climate change, which we could measure by the increase in global average temperature to two degrees, then we have six years to reverse the trend from increasing CO2 emissions to decreasing CO2 emissions.
Sabra Lane: Six years, that doesn't sound like a long time at all.
Penny Sackett: It's not long, which is why we need to begin to act now and to sustain and increase that effort with time.
Sabra Lane: Given you say it will take six years, I'd like to know what your reaction is, particularly at the moment, we've had two parliamentary inquiries talk about climate change policies and most of those inquiries have been dominated by the science. Are you surprised that there is still a debate about the science?
Penny Sackett: I'm very surprised that there's still a debate about the science, although I'm pleased people are talking about science. It is in the opinion of the experts, who have devoted frankly their lives to studying the climate, that it is unequivocal that the climate is changing. There is no doubt, the evidence is very clear that that is underway and it is also clear that the largest portion of that change is due to human action. That is through deforestation and emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Sabra Lane: Professor Garnaut has said that he thinks it's a line ball call as to whether the Government's planned emissions trading scheme is introduced. Do you hold a similar view?
Penny Sackett: I'm not an economist and so I wouldn't want to give a view on exactly the mechanism by which we need to achieve the change. But as a scientist I do need to underscore the magnitude and the speed with which we need to execute that change.
Sabra Lane: Based on what you've just said then, the Government has an aim of cutting emissions by 5 to 15 per cent by the year 2020; do you believe that that kind of target will achieve the pause and the decrease that you're looking for within six years?
Penny Sackett: We know that we need to set the highest possible target we can now, not only to start the process but because the lower the targets now the more difficult it will be to achieve the aim later. It becomes harder and harder to meet the aim.
Sabra Lane: Some scientists spoke to parliamentary inquiries, suggesting that the target should be 30 per cent.
Penny Sackett: Again, I don't want to talk about individual targets but it is known that the goal, in fact many scientists would say that this goal is too low, and we know that we will have to set ambitious targets. I believe the Australian Government is aware of the targets that need to be ambitious, but it is also aware that we need to put a mechanism in place and that is actually the first step. And I suppose what I am encouraging is that we take the first step.
Sabra Lane: Have you been advising the Government on what kind of a target it should have?
Penny Sackett: Yes.
Sabra Lane: Have you been advocating a steeper target?
Penny Sackett: I have indicated, as you may know from a speech that I gave at Science meets Parliament, which I gave to both scientists and parliamentarians, that we need to set the steepest possible target we can.
Sabra Lane: What is that?
Penny Sackett: My advice to the Government is, on anything that approaches matters of policy is best done privately. In matters of science I'm quite happy and I think it's quite appropriate for me to discuss publically.
Lisa Millar: Australia's chief scientist, Professor Penny Sackett speaking there with Sabra Lane.