Penny Wong addresses AMCHAM

Australia is only accountable for 1.5% of the world’s carbon emissions. It doesn’t sound like much does it? But as Penny Wong reinforced 1.5% is actually a monumental amount considering Australia only has a mere 20 million people. This translates to an exceptionally high percentage per capita.

The Senator addressed AMCHAM last week on the importance of not letting climate change take a back seat in the current global economic crisis. She believes that if we don’t act now we will really feel the brunt later.

From a business point of view she believes whilst businesses that act immediately will have to adjust the way they do business in the short term, acting swiftly will help create new opportunities and positive repercussions in the long run.

Looking at the issue holistically from an environmental perspective, the Senator couldn’t emphasise enough that climate change and global warming are both global issues. She believes the developed world needs to support the developing world by freely sharing knowledge and exchanging information.

Whilst the USA is starting afresh she thinks they need to play an integral part in setting milestones for the rest of the world. The Senator stated, to make a global effort viable the USA needs to pave the way. Then superpowers, China and India will have to follow.

Stressing the need for both individuals and businesses to take responsibility for their actions the Senator wrapped up her address with the need to act proactively rather than reactively.

Change2