The Rudd Government's articulation of the science of climate change today shows up their utter failure to act on what that science requires, the Australian Greens said.

Greg Combet's Ministerial Statement on the scientific imperative to act on climate change was largely correct, if out of date, up until the conclusion that the Rudd Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme effectively addresses that scientific imperative.

Senator MILNE -Today, in the House of Representatives, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change, the Hon. Greg Combet, made a ministerial statement entitled The scientific imperative for action on climate change.

Senator MILNE (Tasmania) (2:31 PM) -My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Minister Wong, and refers to the recent Pacific Islands Forum and the Smaller Island States Group meeting which Australia hosted and for which Australia provided secretariat support. Given the consistent and outspoken calls from Pacific Island nations for a 45 per cent below 1990 level reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from developed countries by 2020, why was that not reflected in the outputs from either of these meetings held in Australia?

Young people of North West Tasmania agree that anything is possible. Attendees of the Lower Emissions Schools Summit held at Ulverstone High, and students of Devonport's Don Campus say a clean, safe and sustainable planet is a reality with the right leadership; and leadership is firmly on the agenda at Latrobe High.

Senator Christine Milne talked with students at these schools and says she is delighted to see so many young Tasmanians taking real and positive steps towards developing leadership skills and addressing the climate crisis.

Thousands of trees are being planted this week to celebrate Schools Tree Day in Tasmania.

Senator Christine Milne showed her green thumb by joining a team of eager tree planters at Blackman's Bay Primary School in the state's south.

She said it was heartening to see our schools take part in National Schools Tree Day.

"It's great to look around and see our schools, but more importantly the next generation of Tasmanians, viewing trees as an important part of their learning environment."

I rise this evening to speak on the government's proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, introduced in the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Bill 2009 and related bills. As members in the chamber would be aware, the Greens have been campaigning on climate change for more than 20 years. In fact, I was appointed to Australia's first greenhouse council in Victoria in 1990, when I was in the Tasmanian parliament. I have been working on that issue ever since in the state parliament, in the federal parliament and globally through the International Union for Conservation of Nature.