Carbon dioxide emission
Smoke rises from a chimney of a steel plant next to residential buildings on a hazy day in Fengnan district of Tangshan, Hebei province in this February 18, 2014 file photo. Reuters/Petar Kujundzic/Files

Australia’s top scientists have published a booklet about climate change to Australians about the dire consequences of global warming if no immediate action is taken. The new publication is meant to create awareness and eliminate confusion.

The Australian Academy of Science released “Science of Climate Change: Questions And Answers” to bridge the gap between the general perception of climate change and reality. Professor Andrew Holmes, president of the academy, said there is a need to close the gap and communicate information efficiently. He added that the new booklet contains updated information that was reviewed by 17 of Australia’s experts on climate sciences, reports ABC.

Holmes said climate change is happening now and not an event in the future. He reiterated that 2014 was the hottest year. Previous reports have indicated that 14 of the 15 hottest years occurred during the first 15 years of the current century. According to the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organisation, 2014 was the hottest year since records began with an average global air and land temperatures higher by 0.57 degrees Celsius.

Nobel laureate and Australian Academy of Science councillor Brian Schmidt has urged political parties in Australia to follow Britain’s example and make a joint pledge to address climate change. The Guardian reports that British Prime Minister David Cameron, Opposition leader Ed Miliband and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg had set aside party differences and agreed to work together to fight the effects of climate change.

Schmidt said Australia should be inspired by the British government’s initiative to align its efforts to fight global warming. According to the British government’s statement, it described climate change as one of the most serious threats facing the world. “Acting on climate change” is the UK’s chance to develop a stronger, more efficient and resilient economy.

The academy councilor said Australia’s political parties may not yet be ready to stop coal use. However, Schmidt added that a more sophisticated debate is needed to set a climate action plan for Australia.

Labour environment spokesperson Mark Butler said the party is willing to welcome a “bipartisan” approach to develop a unified climate action plan for the country. Despite Labour’s willingness to cooperate, Butler claimed that the Abbott government has no interest in taking an immediate action to address climate change.

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