Climate scientists call for coal power stations' closure

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Lateline, Broadcast: 30/04/2009

Reporter: Leigh Sales

http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2008/s2557593.htm

Six of Australia's leading climate change scientists have written to the coal industry, telling them to shut down power stations and take responsibily for their environmental damage.

Transcript

LEIGH SALES: Six of the nation's leading climate change scientists have written to the coal industry, telling them to shut down power stations and take responsibility for the damage coal burning does to the environment.

The scientists say the industry has the power to make a difference because it's the largest contributor to the nation's greenhouse gases. 

The letter calls for coal-fired power stations to be closed in the near future, and for any new ones to have zero emissions.

DAVID KAROLY, UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE: We're not arguing that they will necessarily listen, but this issue of liability will be a growing concern in the future. Perhaps they've been able to hide from that issue of liability because of mixed messages. 

We're trying to make it very clear that there is a liability and a responsibility associated with ongoing emissions of greenhouse gases.

LEIGH SALES: Four of the signatories authored chapters for the latest report by the global climate change body, the IPCC.