Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999

Running head: CLIMATE CHANGE LAW
Climate Change Law
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Authors Note

CLIMATE CHANGE LAW1
Letter of Proposal
To,
Australian Peoples’ Tribunal for Community and Nature’s Rights
From: North Queensland Land Council
Date:
Re: Submission for Climate Change Issues
Facts
Over the past few decades, climate change has converted into a global issue. However,
these changes in climates affect life on earth including the environment and biodiversity in
different ways. A variety of plant and animal species have become extinct due to these changes.
Continued climate change could have a dramatic impact on Australia's ecosystems. The new era
of the 21st century has made the Australian people worried over the issue of climate change. In
2013, a report was published by the CSIRO, which stated that Australia is getting hotter and that
due to climate change it will experience further excess heat and extended fire seasons1. In 2014, a
report was published by the Bureau of Meteorology regarding the environment of the state of
Australia, highlighting many key points, including the substantial increase in the temperatures of
Australia (especially night-time temperatures) and the accumulative occurrence of bush fires,
droughts and floods, all linked to climate change. Current climate happenings such as excessive
high temperatures along with prevalent drought have reflected on the effects of climate change in
Australia through government and public interest2. The elected Australian government in 2013
1Wilcox, Chris, et al. "Understanding the sources and effects of abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear on
marine turtles in northern Australia." (2015) Conservation biology 29.1: 198-206.
2 Fitzsimons, James A., et al. "Developing a marine conservation program in temperate Australia: determining
priorities for action." (2015) Australian Journal of Maritime & Ocean Affairs 7.1: 85-93.

CLIMATE CHANGE LAW2
was criticized due to neglecting the issue of climate change. After facing a heavy criticism in this
regard, the government revised the carbon tax in 2014. The renewable energy target (RET),
started in 2001 was reformed as well. Under the administration of Malcolm Turnbull, Australia,
however, joined the United Nations Climate Change Conference of 2015 and ratified the Paris
Agreement, along with an assessment of discharge reduction targets after the end of every 5
years from 20203. The federal government of Australia including all state governments has
unambiguously acknowledged that greenhouse gas discharges are causing climate change in line
with the scientific opinion on climate change. Population sectors have been campaigning against
new coal mines and coal-fired power stations in order to reduce the negative effects of global
warming.
Issues
Mining has great negative impact on the environment mainly on the marine environment.
Mining may abolish deep sea environments; destroy exceptional and unique species and present
sediment smokes, sound, poisonous chemicals, vibration and other types of pollution into
unspoiled environments. For instance, the dispersal of fine and possibly poisonous elements in
plumes can overwhelm and kill sea species. As the environment of deep seabed is not explored
completely, the undiscovered species may be lost by the mining. Due to the mining, various
splendid sea creatures are in great suffering specially turtles. According to the ‘Turtle
Conservation’, the environment, particularly turtles and reptiles, is affected by rising sea
temperature and rising sea level.
The coalmines situated in the Galilee Basin have negative effects on the water resources.
Usually coal comprises of sulfur and when it is burned the sulfur merged with oxygen converts
3 Gall, Sarah C., and Richard C. Thompson. "The impact of debris on marine life." (2015) Marine pollution
bulletin 92.1-2: 170-179.