Opposition parties issue warning on climate change inaction


Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell will release the latest State of the Environment report this morning, with greenhouse gas emissions again expected to feature strongly.
The independent report is prepared every five years and looks at the major factors influencing Australia's environment and the effectiveness of the responses to environmental change.
Five years ago the report found an increase in greenhouse gas emissions caused by higher energy consumption.
Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett hopes the latest findings will be a wake-up call.
"We've got to have stronger recognition of just how much damage major climate change would cause," he said.
Labor's environment spokesman Anthony Albanese says he has no doubt the picture on climate change will be worse.
"The Government has been asleep when it comes to taking action on climate change," he said.
Greens leader Bob Brown agrees but fears the Government will not respond.
"Reports on the parlous state of Australia's environment can be ignored by governments," he said.
Both Labor and the Greens say the Government must act on the report, whatever the findings.