Dear Neville —
Despite almost 1000 of you urging the Government to #acceptthegift of Solar Panels for Kirribilli House, we learned this week that the Abbott Government has again rejected our gift.
Obviously we are disappointed. We figure that if they are going to spend $200,000 a year on keeping the gardens clean at Kirribilli House1, why not accept the chance to clean up its energy too?
We are concerned that our current Government has shown itself to be unwilling to lead in caring for God’s creation and is out of step with the rest of the world. While the world as a whole has added more new renewable capacity than fossil fuels and nuclear combined in 2013 and 20142, here in Australia, large-scale renewables investment has plummeted by 88% in 20143.
But if the PM won’t show leadership on renewables, then who will? We’ve given Mr Abbott two chances to accept the gift – perhaps it’s only fair that we give Bill Shorten at least one.
Tweet Bill Shorten and ask him if he will commit to install the solar panels gift on Kirribilli House if elected
As Christians, we take caring for God’s good creation seriously. We have a unique perspective that our elected representatives need to hear. Our world is a gift to share not a resource to exploit.
For us, this isn’t about partisan politics – it is about love, justice and wisdom. This is putting into practice our calling to care for God’s world and to show love to the world’s poor who are most affected by climate change.
Will Mr Shorten accept our gift as a symbol that Labor is ready to show real leadership on renewables? Let’s tweet him and ask!
The Labor Party is set to make critical decisions about their climate justice targets at the Labor conference in July. If Labor commits to stronger renewables and emission reduction targets, it will pressure the Government to do the same and help to position renewables as a major issue at the next Federal election.
Let’s make sure Mr Shorten hears the message loud and clear – Christians want to see a clean energy future.
Click here to ask Mr Shorten to #acceptthegift
From Jody, Byron, Kylie and the whole Common Grace team.
P.S. Please continue to pray for PM Abbott, Mr Shorten, and all of our political representatives. Let’s pray that they will realise their potential to create a more just and sustainable world and lead with courage.
P.P.S If you don’t have Twitter, that’s OK. Share this graphic on Facebook from here.
References:
1. Government to spend $200,000 a year on Kirribilli House gardens, figures show, The Guardian, 03/05/15
2. The Global Renewable Energy Boom: How Australia is Missing Out, Climate Council, 20/3/15
3. BNEF: New Clean Power Capacity Passes New Fossil Fuel Capacity … Never Turning Back, Clean Technica, 25/04/15
Common Grace
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