Greens warn of climate migration as Moree set to break record with 51 days above 35°C

The Greens NSW climate change spokesperson Jeremy Buckingham today said the shocking news that Moree was set to break the Australian record for the most number of days in a row above 35°C should be a wakeup call to the old parties and that, without drastic action, inland regional communities will be hollowed out by climate migration to the coast.

“Climate change is here, climate change is deadly and regional communities are on the front lines,” Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham said.

“The record breaking run of days above 35 degrees in Moree should act as a wakeup call to the old parties that we are facing a climate emergency and that extended periods of extreme heat are becoming the new reality for many inland towns.

“Without drastic action to help regional areas adapt we can expect to see significant migration away from inland towns towards the coast, leaving hollowed out communities behind.

“The Greens are calling on the NSW Government to invest in the establishment of a climate resilience fund with money set aside to help regional communities and farmers adapt to a changing climate.

“We also need urgent action to curb our greenhouse gas emissions by ending coal mining and transitioning rapidly to 100% renewable energy,” Mr Buckingham said.

15 February 2017