"Gippsland has one of Australia's biggest coal mining industries and we are also woodchipping our native forests at record rates. Put the two together and it's a climate change nightmare." said Dr McKelvie. "This is why Gippsland's forests must be used as ready-to-go offsets to counter the greenhouse gas output of the coal industry.

"Renewables must be the future for power supply in Victoria and while the shift takes place, our forests are essential as carbon offsets to hold and keep absorbing more CO2. We can't have both coal burning and forest burning any longer if we are to seriously tackle climate change.

Research by Professor David Lindenmayer at the ANU has shown that typical SE Australian wet forests, which cover large parts of Gippsland, store a massive 2,000 tonnes of carbon (above ground) per hectare. This means Victoria's wet forests could be worth at the very least $80 BILLION just standing there growing.

"By protecting forests as rich and valuable carbon stores, they are also providing many other services; they are water and air purifiers, rain makers, soil builders and wildlife reservoirs. They don't need hi-tech equipment, research delays or millions of dollars to build them. They are ready to start work right now, countering climate change and earning us money. All that's needed is clear thinking from governments and a strong will to tackle climate threats.

For further information please contact: Malcolm McKelvie 0417 364 615 Greens Candidate for Gippsland ByElection 2008 www.cgn.org.au/Malcolm_McKelvie gippsland@greens.org.au