Scientists raise heat on Albanese government over land clearing

The scientists published the letter ahead of a looming showdown at national conference.

Anthony Albanese in question time on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

More than 250 scientists have urged Labor to end broadscale land clearing and native forest logging before the next election, ahead of a national conference showdown over environmental policies.

The scientists have written an open letter to seize on momentum from Labor’s environmental lobby that will move motions at next week’s national conference calling for an end to land clearing, the creation of sustainable timber plantations and the halving of agriculture methane emissions by 2030. More than 300 Labor branches have adopted the draft motions.

“Across the nation, 500,000ha or more of land are cleared annually. For every 100ha of native woodland cleared, about 2000 birds, 15,000 reptiles and 500 native mammals will die,” the scientists write.

“Land clearing and native forest logging exacerbate climate change, affect local temperature and rainfall, degrade soils, increase pollution in freshwater streams and marine environments like the Great Barrier Reef, harm pollinators like ­native bees, and worsen the ­impact of invasive predators like cats and foxes.

“Our commitment to end ­extinction could be world-leading. But the legacy of this government will be written by the actions it takes to halt the current drivers of nature destruction and repair past damage.

“The mission to recover ­nature can only be fully realised by respecting the rights and honouring the knowledge of First Peoples in land management and forest stewardship. We urge you to commit, and act, to end broadscale land clearing and ­native forest logging in this term of government. Ending extinction, limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C and reversing ­nature’s decline depends on it.”

The Australian Conservation Foundation, which co-ordinated the letter, said the Labor Party had made great strides for nature in the past and it must act now to end land clearing.

The foundation is arranging for a billboard with the scientists’ call to be outside national conference in Brisbane next week.

Labor’s latest draft national platform says the party will ­develop sustainable forestry and “assist Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries to capitalise on their economic and employment potential by adapting to climate change and consumer demand for high-quality, healthy food and sustainable fibre and forest products”.

Scientists who signed the letter include the ANU’s David Lindenmayer, the University of Melbourne’s Brendan Wintle, and the University of Queensland’s Hugh Possingham.