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Writing letters to politicians

Where do we stand

In Australia we are very fortunate to have a stable and democratic government. We all have the opportunity to express our concerns on climate change and care of the environment. Climate change is such a fundamental and growing issue that it is crucial to let our elected leaders know what direction we believe our country needs for the sake of our children and future generations.

Politicians want to know the concerns of their electorates, especially in a Federal election year. Any politician and any political party can make quick and sustainable decisions that can benefit all Australians on a large scale.

Though everyone has a personal right to express what they wish, the Forster Tuncurry Earth Editors hope to encourage people (of all ages) to write short and personal letters on what action they want to see on climate change. We also believe that letters of genuine support are just as important, as these messages let politicians know when they have our support and can encourage more positive decisions.

Leading by example

A good example of a politician who is leading the world by example is Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California. He is cutting carbon gases by 25 per cent by 2020 and targeting 80 per cent by 2050; has business and communities onside to support these changes; joined the Kyoto Protocol; and helped the California car manufacturing industry gain strength on the international market at the same time.

Over to you

Some actions you may like to recommend to elected leaders:

1. Join the Kyoto Protocol and encourage other countries to do so by good example. Kyoto is the only world body and Australia doesn't even have a seat at the table. Many influential Americans including Al Gore have stated that if Australia ratified Kyoto it would influence the USA and then China and India.
2. Reduce major carbon emissions by 30 per cent in the next ten years. This will allow for the climate to recover before we get to a very dangerous stage. Big businesses, industries and transport can be given incentives to reduce carbon emissions and to change over to renewable energy sources.
3. Share our sustainable skills and technology with other countries so there is international cooperation on reducing the global carbon issue.
4. Put more resources and subsidies into renewable energies such as solar, wind, hydro and thermal.
5. Encourage growth in the new cleaner and sustainable technologies that can help create jobs and economies, especially in communities whose livelihoods are already affected by climate change.
6. Protect old growth forests, and restore native vegetation that helps to reduce our carbon emissions.
7. Ensure minimal and sensitive development planning when near vital environmental areas such as rainforests, wetlands, and natural waterways. These are natural systems that help keep our climate and environment stable for future generations and other species.
8. Encourage communities and households to make sustainable changes with further incentives and rebates for solar hot water systems, water tanks, solar panels and energy efficient appliances.
9. Use sustainable water management such as self-sufficiency, reuse and recycle, so there is minimal impact and preservation of water resources for future generations.
10. Encourage more education, training and room for sustainable innovative ideas, technologies and solutions. Ask for short and long term renewable energy targets and funding for research and development of sustainable technologies.
11. Encourage people to use public transport, with more services and sound infrastructure of public transport and cycle ways. Encourage use of smaller or hybrid cars with lower emissions.
12. Ensure more sustainable food production with incentives and subsidies, so there are sustainable food resources for future generations.
13. Encourage a welcoming attitude towards refugees in our Pacific neighbourhood, and beyond. The first ‘climate or environmental’ refugees were moved from small islands to the Papua New Guinea mainland due to rising sea levels in April 2007. The Pacific Nation of Kiribati is asking Australia to help it adapt its citizens in preparation for resettlement. Australia can lead other countries by good example.

Make contact

Here are the contact details of various politicians to whom you can send your letters or emails:

• Great Lakes Councillors at www.greatlakes.nsw.gov.au or post a letter to the relevant councillor at Great Lakes Council, Post Box 450, Forster NSW 2428.
• State Government Politicians at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au or post a letter to the relevant politician at NSW Legislative Council, Parliament House, Maquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000.
• Federal Government Politicians at www.aec.gov/esearch/main.htm or post letter to the relevant politician at Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600.

Find out more

Links to good information on writing to politicians:

www.acfo.org.au — Australian Conservation Foundation
www.thebigswitch.org.au — urging politicians to lead with vision
www.greenpeace.org — Greenpeace
www.earthaction.org — American action group

Links to email action networks:

www.getup.org.au/climateaction
www.risingtide.org.au
www.climatecampaign.info
www.cana.net.au
www.climatenetwork.org
www.climate.net.au
www.foe.org.au/nc/nc_climate.htm
www.avaaz.org — Global Petition

Any media that allows for free and uncompromising discussion on different viewpoints from journalists and the public is a good source. Here are some the Forster Tuncurry Earth Editors have used: The Great Lakes Advocate, The Manning-Great Lakes Extra, Manning River Times, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, ABC National and Regional Radio and ABC Television.

Independent and/or not-for-profit organisations: Planet Ark, ACF, The Diggers Club, True Foods Network, Natural Conservation Council Of NSW, Greenpeace, The Wilderness Society.

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