The following petition was initiated by the Sydney University Climate Action Collective and Yarra Climate Action Now.
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Our top scientists have been telling us for decades that our carbon pollution is creating ever-worsening natural disasters such as floods, droughts and bushfires. Despite this and the record high ocean temperatures which contributed to our recent heavy rain, our state and federal governments have been reluctant to link climate change to the recent floods.
This may be because despite the scientific evidence and the increasing impact natural disasters are having on our economy, our state and federal governments are still encouraging the continuation and expansion of fossil fuel (in particular coal) use and export. Billions of taxpayer dollars are spent each year subsidising the fossil fuel industry.
The fossil fuel corporations, such as the coal miners and the owners of coal-fired power stations, continue to make massive profits from a product that is linked to deadly natural disasters.
These corporations are also relentlessly campaigning against any action on climate change, ensuring that they can continue to make their profits while people all over the world suffer. They must be held responsible for their actions, and for the damage that fossil fuels are causing.
We the undersigned ask that the House:
1. Increase tax on the coal companies and other polluters to help pay for rebuilding after the floods rather than levying taxpayers or cutting renewable energy or energy efficiency programs.
2. Put policies in place to urgently transition Australia away from fossil fuel use and export, in order to save lives, preserve property and shield our economy from future shocks.