Govt has 'fobbed off' climate change report

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The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) says the Federal Government has tried to fob off the latest United Nations climate change report.

Federal Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull responded to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report by saying its findings are not new.

It warns of increased flooding, worsening droughts, more water shortages, increased hunger and the mass extinction of animal species.

The executive director of the ACF, Don Henry, says the Government's response is not good enough.

"I'm really concerned if the Australian Government is just saying we've heard all this before because firstly they're not doing much about climate change," he said.

"Secondly it's a profoundly important call to action from the world's leading climate scientists ticked off by all of the governments of the world, including Australia.

"We can't fob it off."

Mr Henry says he is not impressed by the reaction from Mr Turnbull.

"By just saying we've seen all this before, heard all this before, it begs the question then - why aren't we doing something about it, why aren't we leading the pack to tackle climate change," he said.

"This report is a profound wake up call for action on climate change and we should heed it and get cracking."

Democrats Leader Senator Lyn Allison is also unimpressed with the Minister's response.

"Malcolm Turnbull's response was frankly dangerous and foolish," she said.

"I think that Australians and indeed the international community is growing very impatient with government whitewash."

Senator Allison says the panel has two more reports to come out this year and the Government will continue to come under pressure to act.

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