Fed: Climate not the only moral challenge, Howard says

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2007
Fed: Climate not the only moral challenge, Howard says

The prime minister has rejected KEVIN RUDD's claim .. that climate change is the overwhelming
moral challenge facing Australians.

JOHN HOWARD says Australia's a minor emitter of greenhouse gases .. and can't influence
the global climate by acting alone.

The PM says he's rejected the Labor Party's zealotry about the issue.

Mr HOWARD says Australia does need to lower carbon emissions over time .. but saying
the issue is Australia's overwhelming moral challenge is misguided at best .. and misleading
at worst.

He says it also obscures the need for balanced government decision-making .. and feeds
ideological demands with kneejerk policy reactions.







The PM says no-one in the environmental movement has claimed action by Australia alone will help.

And he says Australia emits fewer greenhouse gases in a year than the United States
and China emit in a month.

AAP RTV pw/mfh/tm/bart

KEYWORD: CLIMATE HOWARD (CANBERRA)

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