Parramatta Climate Action Network hosted a presentation by Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) at Parramatta Town Hall on March 14. About 30 people attended the forum.
The presentation summarised the “Zero Carbon Australia 2020” stationary energy report, which details how Australia can transition to 100% renewable energy by 2020.
In contrast to Australia, which has excellent renewable resources but is dominated by fossil fuel energy, Spain already has several large-scale solar thermal energy plants that provide baseload power.
Geoff Cameron urged people to pressure the government to act on BZE’s findings. BZE has shown that a rapid transition to renewables is possible and made its reports available to major party politicians, with no result.
Cameron said that’s why BZE looks to grassroots climate campaigners to help push for change. He said it is up to the people to make sure governments listen to our demands for a safe climate.
All of the NSW state election candidates for the seat of Parramatta were invited to attend the forum. Greens candidate Phil Bradley and the Socialist Alliance’s Duncan Roden were the only candidates present.
Discussion covered topics ranging from the availability of the materials needed for construction of the plan, to how it could be funded.
Several audience members, as well as the candidates, raised the need for governments to invest directly in renewables.