Going green is simply good planning

Making the transition to a green economy is not a luxury; it simply what is required to face the challenges of the 21st century

Scenes like these are more commonly associated with impoverished far-away nations. Credit: Dave Hunt (AAP).

11 Feb 2011 - TO WITNESS THE instant devastation caused by the recent floods, Cyclone Yasi, and the bushfires in Western Australia, and to hear the tragic tales of people losing loved ones, their homes and livelihoods, has had a profound impact on Australians everywhere.

Rebuilding our nation in the wake of these disasters is vital and must be done immediately. Every effort must be made to provide assistance for people who, in some cases, have lost everything. As we are providing immediate support to those affected, we must also start planning long-term policy solutions to help protect Australia from future disasters, and to build our resilience to respond and adapt when such events strike again.

Like all countries, Australia needs to be part of the global solution to tackle extreme events, and help others to cope with the devastating impacts. {continued}