Tomorrow is International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer and Labor calls on the Howard Government to show international leadership on climate change.

Australia was once a world leader in protecting the global environment.

Australia was one of the first to ratify the Montreal Protocol on ozone depletion, but we’re one of only two industrialised countries not to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

The Hawke and Keating Governments responded decisively to the threat posed by the hole in the ozone layer. They phased out the import and manufacture of CFCs by 1 January 1996.

The Hawke and Keating Government’s decisive action over ozone is in stark contrast to the complacency of the Howard Government over climate change.

The parties to the Kyoto Protocol will meet in Montreal, Canada in November 2005 and the Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin has told John Howard: "It's very important that you take these discussions seriously ... it's up to you to come up with something in Montreal as to how to bridge the gap [between those who have ratified Kyoto and those who haven’t]". Source – Reuters

The Government’s Climate Change Report estimates Australia could be 2ºC hotter by 2030.

This would be devastating for Australia, with more severe wind speeds in cyclones, more severe heatwaves and bushfires, extended droughts, reduced rainfall in southern Australia and extensive damage to the Great Barrier Reef.

Not ratifying Kyoto means Australia cannot contribute to how the world is trying to avoid dangerous climate change. 140 other nations are having a say, but we do not.

John Howard’s decision not to ratify the Kyoto Protocol is stopping new investment in technology which will reduce greenhouse gases, create jobs and move Australia to a cleaner, more secure energy future.