Media release - 7 December
2009 - The more than 60,000 volunteers in
coastal communities around the country should
be proud of their role in protecting Australia’s
coastline from the impacts of climate change
during Coastcare Week 7-13 December, Environment
Minister Peter Garrett said today.
Launching Coastcare
Week at Collaroy Beach in Sydney the Minister
congratulated the efforts of Australia’s
approximately 2000 volunteer Coastcare groups,
and called for all Australians to support
their invaluable work.
“It has never been more
important to take action to protect our
coastlines,” Mr Garrett said.
“We know that climate
change will bring rising sea levels and
increased storm surges to our coasts, threatening
homes and coastal habitats.
“Through the efforts
of Coastcare volunteers we are helping to
protect our coastlines by planting trees
and protecting and stabilising dunes to
help reduce beach erosion, such as the damage
that can be seen here at Collaroy and at
other beaches around Australia.
“Cleaning up rubbish
and weeds from coastal catchments, wetlands
and estuaries will improve water quality,
providing a better environment for native
plants and animals.
“Healthy ecosystems
will be essential in the face of climate
change impacts.”
Mr Garrett said that
through its Caring for our Country initiative
the Australian Government has provided more
than $146 million to projects around Australia’s
coasts.
“Through Caring for
our Country we are committed to increasing
community participation in protecting and
rehabilitating coastal environments and
critical aquatic habitats.
“We all need to work
together to protect our coasts and the central
role they play in our way of life.
“That is why the Australian
Government commissioned the Climate Change
Risks to Australia’s Coasts report, which
has recently been released.
“And that is also why,
next year, the Australian Government will
host a Climate Change Forum to bring together
all levels of government in informing a
national response to this significant challenge
to our coast-focused way of life.
“I encourage all Australians
to take the opportunity this week to join
a local activity for coastal protection.”
To find a Coastcare
group or event in your area visit www.coastcare.com.au
For more information on Caring for our Country
visit www.nrm.gov.au
+ More
Australian Government
condemns Norway's increased whaling quota
Media release - 7 December
2009 - Environment Minister Peter Garrett
has condemned Norway's decision to significantly
increase its whaling quota for the 2010
summer whale hunt.
Norway has increased
its annual whale quota by 45 per cent, increasing
the total number of whales able to be killed
from 885 in 2009 to 1,286. In recent years,
Norway has steadily increased its whale
quota in defiance of the moratorium on commercial
whaling.
“Norway's decision is
particularly disappointing as it comes at
a time when International Whaling Commission
countries continue to discuss the reform
of the Commission”, Mr Garrett said.
“Australia agreed to
participate in these ongoing discussions
on the basis that there would be real progress
on critical issues ahead of the Commission's
next annual meeting.
“The nature and timing
of Norway's decision is both provocative
and unhelpful.
“At the same time, Japan's
whaling fleet is heading to the Southern
Ocean for the 2009-10 summer whale hunt.
Japan has yet to announce how many whales
it intends to hunt this summer.
“Since coming to office
the Rudd Government has embarked on an unprecedented
effort to bring an end to so-called 'scientific'
whaling, including through the appointment
of a Special Envoy.
“In addition to our
extensive diplomatic efforts Australia is
progressing a series of comprehensive reforms
through the IWC tomake it a conservation
focused organisation, not one that simply
counts dead whales.
“Australia has been
engaging in IWC reform discussions in good
faith but these recent developments are
cause for considerable concern.
“We are committed to
continuing to work through the IWC reform
process. However, as I made clear at the
last meeting of the Commission in Portugal,
that commitment does not amount to a blank
cheque for open-ended negotiations.
“We must see a genuine
engagement from other nations, and we must
see substantive progress, particularly on
the issue of so-called 'scientific' whaling.
“If we do not achieve
genuine progress, the Australian Government
will consider all options, including options
for international legal action”, Minister
Garrett said.
