Thousands rally in Australia for carbon tax

Thousands of Australians rallied around the nation Sunday to support a tax on the carbon emissions blamed for global warming, as a new report outlined the risks of climate change for sea levels.

In Sydney, demonstrators gathered at Prince Alfred Park as part of the "Say Yes" campaign, carrying banners that read: "Say yes to cutting carbon pollution" and "Cut carbon pollution, unlock clean energy."

"Today is a big day, because today Australians will ask their government for a price on carbon," rally organiser Simon Sheikh, who is also the national director of the activist group GetUp, said.

Other major cities

Thousands more attended rallies in other major cities, including Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, in support of the government's proposed carbon tax on major industrial polluters.

The popularity of the centre-left Labor government has dropped to record lows since Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the proposed tax earlier this year, but climate activists said Sunday that momentum was shifting.

"We think momentum is building, people-power is building, because Australians want action on climate change," Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Don Henry said in Melbourne.

"So it's the right time for all Australians, from all walks of life, to say, 'Hey, come on parliamentarians, no matter what your political colour, we pay your salary, we vote you in, we want action on climate change now and that means a price on pollution'."

Australia is among the world's worst per capita emitters, relying heavily on coal-fired power and exporting millions of tonnes of the fuel to Asia, and Gillard wants to tax carbon polluters from 2012 with a fixed price levy.

This would give way to an emissions trading scheme within three to five years.

New report

The rallies came as Climate Change Minister Greg Combet released a new report outlining the potential impact of global warming by 2100 based on a sea level rise of 1.1 metres (3.6 feet).

"The report shows exposure of coastal assets to sea level rise is widespread and will likely increase into the future," the minister said.

Australian assets at risk from inundation and erosion included 5,800-8,600 commercial buildings, 3,700-6,200 light industrial buildings and 27,000-35,000 kilometres (16,740-21,700 miles) of roads and rail, he said.