The Senate Select Committee on Climate Policy, established by the Greens and Coalition, has begun its hearings in Canberra after receiving over 13,500 submissions from a deeply concerned public.

Several of Australia's world-leading climate scientists have put in submissions to the inquiry giving strong scientific evidence that the Rudd Government's emissions reduction targets of 5-15% by 2020 and 60% by 2050 are utterly inadequate to prevent climate catastrophe. Dr James Risbey told the Inquiry that the Government's targets would be like playing "Russian roulette with the climate system with most of the chambers loaded".

Other experts have already told the Inquiry that the Government's proposed scheme would hold back efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions and build a prosperous green economy.

Hearings for the Inquiry run across the country until April 30 and the final report will be issued on May 14.