“We need to go Further and Faster with our Climate Response” says Lismore Farmer, Environmental Lawyer and now State MP- Sue Higginson NSW MLC.

Making a speech to the NSW Upper House last week on the targets and rate of change required for the current state of the Climate, Sue Higginson told The Northern Rivers Times “we are precariously placed, we have a Labour Govt in NSW and a Labour Govt in Canberra, with some strong Climate aware Greens and independents in the Senate and Lower houses in both govts”.

“The Greens position is no new coal and gas. In NSW we are saying we ought to transition out of coal and gas by 2030.”

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“In NSW in some ways, we have a great opportunity, with a Labour minority and a good active cross-bench, and a good Greens presence, but it’s looking like NSW will still legislate the former Govt’s targets of zero emissions by 2050. Which is too long, too late.”

“It really matters here in NSW as we are a massive coal miner, and a massive coal exporter. What we do here, effects the entire global population.”

“It doesn’t look like we are going to be able to stick to the target’s and recommendations of under 1.5, if we don’t adjust our efforts three-fold, then we are on track for more like 2.4%”.

“Any new coal and gas is just absurd, based on the active and engaged Climate Scientists working with politicians to affect policy, such as Professor Lesley Hughes”.

“We know that some of the biggest coal companies, such a Glencore here in NSW are looking at these targets of 2050 and assuming they will continue business as usual until 2045 and then walking off a cliff, when it’s all far too late, right at the end. This is where the concept of target emissions focus, is falling well short of the necessary changes we need to make.”

Currently in NSW Parliament there are a number of Bills, some of which have been tabled by Sue, relating to Climate Change, including Forestry Amendment (Koala Habitats) Bill 2023