The realities of global warming are pushing the world to abandon fossil fuels and take up renewable energy at an ever increasing rate.

Tasmania's investment in renewable energy and our as yet untapped solar and geothermal resources, place us in a prime position to flourish this century.

We need to capitalise on these natural advantages to attract energy users to the state who want the clean brand. These businesses can help us drive Tasmania's new, clean economy.

What we don't need is gas and oil fracking.

Greens leader Christine Milne says dire projections for Australia in the new CSIRO climate change report must be a wake-up call for the Abbott government and big business, which are harming people and missing huge economic opportunities by refusing to minimise global warming.

"If the natural world is in trouble, then so are we, and the Abbott government's climate denial and policy destruction has got us in serious trouble indeed," said Senator Milne.

The argument between economics and conservation is a false dichotomy, writes Christine Milne

TASMANIAN Minerals and Energy Council chairman Wayne Bould's Talking Point article (Mercury, December 18) about the Tarkine could not have been more timely.

It came the day after the Supreme Court found the Environment Protection Authority had not followed the law in allowing a mine to store more hazardous waste than its permit specified.

This was the mine that owners claimed would employ 120 people over three years.

Tarkine 4WD tracks and forest furnaces

I totally support the actions of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community who are taking to court the government for the fact that they are going to re-open four-wheel-drive tracks in the Tarkine which will jeopardise aboriginal heritage. It is just shocking that this government is determined to behave in such a manner, as vandals, that is all you can call it.

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt should halt all moves to re-open 4WD tracks in the Tarkine and undertake an immediate investigation of the proposals under his duty to protect Aboriginal heritage, Greens Leader Christine Milne said today.

"Mr Hunt has the discretion to investigate an action that could damage a heritage listed area," said Senator Milne.

"He needs to step in now and tell the state government to stop all work until it can provide detailed plans on rerouted tracks and demonstrate how they will not affect Aboriginal heritage.

The Australians Greens have announced a bill to help crack down on corruption in Australian companies that operate overseas.

"Australia has a responsibility to ensure that our companies operate honestly and responsibly all over the world, but especially in our own region," Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

Amid reports that Shree Minerals' Nelson Bay River mine is under investigation for breaching its federal environmental permit, Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne says the Abbott government must not proceed with plans to hand protection powers over to the state.

It's believed the Tasmanian Government amended its permit to allow the Nelson Bay River Mine to produce 20 times more acid-producing waste rock than originally planned, but the Federal Environment Department was not notified or given a chance to model the impacts on threatened species.

A new report out today shows Tasmania is spending $17 million to prop up mining and minerals processing industries, even though low global prices are rendering some mines unviable, said Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne.

"The Australia Institute report shows that for the $17 million in corporate welfare to the miners from the Tasmanian government on roads and other subsidies, we got back just $49 million in royalties," Senator Milne said.

Shree Minerals has now confirmed its iron ore operation in the Tarkine has been suspended and the Australian Greens say it's clear Tasmania's future is not in mining.

"This cynical political experiment has failed. It's time to stop pretending that destroying the Tarkine will deliver any kind of prosperity to Tasmania," said Greens Leader and Tasmanian Senator Christine Milne.

"Who could forget the pre-election hype from then AWU president Paul Howes, federal minister Tony Burke and Premier Lara Giddings, trying to justify destruction of the Tarkine?