1 Climate Change: What Role for Parliamentarians? Dr Jan Wright Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment

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3 Outline 1.The Problem 2.Fairness: Who is responsible? 3.Physical Impact of climate change in NZ, Australia, and the Pacific islands 4.International Organisations 5.What Parliamentarians can do

4 greenhouse gases trap heat

5 CO 2 concentration temperature Greenhouse Earth in Action

6 Fairness: Who is responsible? Developed countries caused the problem …but small island countries are on the frontline of climate change impacts : Historic cumulative carbon emissions, as a percentage of global output by nation World Resources Institute

7 Physical Impacts: Australia and NZ Temperature change versus More heat waves …..and sea level rise More bushfires

8 Physical Impacts: Australia and NZ Rainfall change versus More droughts More floods Water supply issues

9 Physical Impacts: Pacific Islands Land loss Coastal erosion Increased damage from storm surges Salt water contamination of fresh water and soils

10 Physical Impacts: Pacific Islands Rainfall change versus Water shortages and drought More floods increased risk of tropical cyclones ocean acidification, coral bleaching changing fish migration biodiversity loss …and also

11 because: surrounded by large expanses of ocean limited natural resources proneness to natural disasters extremely open economies rapidly increasing populations and urbanisation poorly developed infrastructure and limited funds, human resources and skills Entire cultures at risk Pacific Islands are particularly vulnerable

12 International Organisations United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1994, 192 countries) what can be done to reduce global warming how to cope with temperature increases IPCC, science assessment Reports 1990, 1995, 2001, Kyoto Protocol (1997, 184 countries) – commitment to reduce emissions Copenhagen (Dec 2009) The next agreement

13 Adaptation Programs for Pacific Island States -Pacific Island Framework for Action on Climate Change -Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change -National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPAs) for Least Developed Countries

14 Domestically –greenhouse gas emissions reduction target –energy efficiency improvements etc In support of Pacific Island countries What NZ and Australia are doing Australia New Zealand Much expertise Supports various programmes Aims to “secure a good outcome for Pacific Island Countries” at Copenhagen

15 Practical Suggestions Be informed about the reality and help people understand Provide tools to cope Support policies to make a difference Work together, build cooperation and partnerships