Federal Labor Candidate for Forde today welcomed Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit – to be convened by Kevin Rudd this weekend in Canberra.

“Climate change is a challenge environmentally and economically,” said Mr Raguse, Labor Candidate for Forde.

“It is in the interest of all families that we work together to develop the best response to the climate change challenge.

“While big business and science will tackle the big issues in Canberra we should remember that every Aussie can do their bit to fight climate change.

“Kevin Rudd’s new Solar Power Plan for example, will allow around 12,000 Australian households to install cleaner, greener power,” Mr Raguse said.

Australia’s first National Climate Change Summit in Canberra will bring together some of the nation’s best thinkers from business and science.

The Summit will examine a number of critical issues including:

• The environmental, economic and social impacts of climate change, both now and into the future.
• The future of emissions trading.
• New technologies and renewable energy.
• Community, corporate and government responsibility for reducing our energy needs.

“Australia’s long-term prosperity will only be secured by tackling the threat of climate change,” Mr Raguse said.

“For too long, climate change sceptics have sat on their hands and ignored the warning signs.

“It is now time to act, together and in our own backyard,” Mr Raguse said.