Vic to counter greenhouse 05 June 1989. By 2020 the state could be on average two to four degrees warmer in winter and summer. In general, sea-level rises in the range of 10 to 30 centimetres by 2030. A 20 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2005 was proposed as a global goal.

Vic to counter greenhouse (1989, June 5). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), p. 2. Retrieved November 11, 2023, from https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/122267775?searchTerm=global%20warming#

MELBOURNE: The Victorian Government announced a major package of measures yesterday to counteract the greenhouse effect.

The announcement follows 12 months’ planning by leading government departments into
measures to combat the greenhouse effect and its impact on the ozone layer.
The package was issued by the Premier, John Cain, on the eve of World Environment Day.
Key features, of the plan included major new tree-planting programs, new programs to con-
serve energy and increase motor vehicle fuel efficiency and investigations into alternative energy sources.
Mr Cain said Victoria had an opportunity to show the way to the rest of Australia and many
parts of the world in effectively tackling the greenhouse effect.
“Australia and other highly developed countries have a responsibility to show leadership in
tackling the greenhouse effect,” Mr Cain said, The greenhouse effect is the gradual global
warming caused by the increasing concentration of certain gases in the atmosphere.
Moves were already under way for the development of an international agreement guarantee-
ing the protection of the atmosphere, but this would take some years to accomplish, he said.
In the meantime, there is a significant role to be played by governments and communities such
as ours. Government can give the lead and take steps in regard to public services and projects.”
The government’s draft strategy, The Greenhouse Challenge — the Victorian Government’s
Response, said that by 2020 the state could be on average two to four degrees warmer in winter and summer.
In general, sea-level rises in the range of 10 to 30 centimetres by 2030 and 20 to 70 centimetres
were expected by 2080.
The draft strategy covered five main areas:
Research to provide more detailed and reliable information about the greenhouse effect and
its impacts on Victoria.
Limitation of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly by reducing dependence on fossil fuels
such as brown coal.
Public information and education to increase community awareness and change people’s be-
haviour.
Long-term planning to cope with future climatic change.
Development of a coordinated national approach.
“The most complex problem relates to reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, the main green-
house gas,”
Mr Cain said. “This state’s reliance on electricity produced from brown coal is well known, and it is the source of about half our total carbon dioxide emissions.
“At an international conference in Toronto, Canada, last year, a 20 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2005 was proposed as a global goal.
“The Victorian Government will aim for this objective as an interim target for planning pur-
poses, subject to review in 1991.”