Marine conservationists have welcomed a report from the Morrison Government's Great Barrier Reef Envoy Warren Entsch in which he calls for Coalition Ministers to take stronger action on climate change.
In his six monthly report to Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley, Entsch says Australia's record on climate change had fallen short of its high standards in managing our Reef. He also says the post-COVID economic recovery provided 'a unique opportunity' for policy reforms, including a faster transition to renewables.
He says he has also raised the issue with Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor.
Cairns Reef campaigner Elise Springett from the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) says Warren Entsch is right to highlight that global warming is the biggest issue facing our Reef.
"We are pleased to see the Great Barrier Reef Envoy advocate strongly for the future of our global icon among his ministerial colleagues," she said.
"Our Reef, the incredible marine creatures it supports and the thousands of people who rely on it for their living are depending on our political leaders to show strong leadership on climate. That means focusing the COVID recovery on bolstering clean energy projects which create jobs and show the world that Australia is serious about tackling global warming and the incredible environments it impacts.
"As custodians of our Reef, Australia must lead and advocate for a climate-focused recovery, pulling our weight in the global effort to combat climate change. This is how we can ensure we meet our Paris goal of 1.5 degrees of warming, and our Reef has a fighting chance at a healthy future."
AMCS and the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO) unveiled an eye catching billboard in Cairns yesterday which calls for local candidates and voters to 'stand up for Reef jobs' by 'investing in clean energy'.
