Friends of the Earth has welcomed the call from Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young for Australia to create a new visa category for Pacific Islanders affected by climate change.

“We strongly support Ms Hanson-Young's call for Australia to do more on this issue” said national liaison officer for FoEA Cam Walker.

“As a major per capita greenhouse gas emitter there can be no doubt that Australia owes a 'carbon debt' to the developing nations of the planet. We must quantify this debt and negotiate ways to settle our bill for the disruption our lifestyles are causing to the planet.

“We owe it to poorer countries to transform our pollution dependent economy by converting to renewable energy, greatly ramp up our support to help affected communities adapt to the changes that will come with global warming, and recognise and accept at least some climate refugees.

“After many years of mean spirited behaviour by the Howard government in international climate negotiations, Australians had hoped the ALP would act with honour in the Copenhagen climate negotiations. However, the paltry 5% target that we offered locks many island nations into rising sea levels for decades to come.

“Accepting climate refugees must be a central part of a meaningful response to climate change.

“We acknowledge the leadership of Senator Hanson-Young on this issue and urge the major parties to consider this significant proposal”.

For interview contact:
Cam Walker, Friends of the Earth
0419 338 047

 Friends of the Earth successful delivery of the People's Assembly at Queensland's Parliament House on Wednesday brought together hundreds of farming families and environmentalists to Queensland Parliament - united in their opposition to coal and coal seam gas mining on prime agricultural lands and nature refuges.

The peaceful protest combined the strength and the passion of the farming and environmental movements of Queensland to put pressure on the State Government to protect farming land and nature refuges from the encroachment of all forms of coal mining and the potential poisoning of waterways.

The rally began with a a procession of children on ride-on tractors, representing the future of farming in Queensland's Darling Downs, and ended dramatically when attention turned to the roof of the Parliament, as two members of Friends of the Earth unfurled a large banner with the words: "Don't undermine our farms".