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Australia's "black summer" provides glimmer of hope for climate policy action

(Reuters, 12 Feb 2020) Independent politician Zali Steggall this week unveiled proposed legislation to target zero carbon emissions by 2050

By Sonali Paul

MELBOURNE, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Australia's deadly wildfires have opened up a small window of opportunity for the country to break a decade-long impasse on climate policy, as some politicians and big business push for major change.

Independent politician Zali Steggall this week unveiled proposed legislation to target zero carbon emissions by 2050, aiming to take advantage of a subtle shift in rhetoric from the conservative Liberal-led coalition government.

"Eighty percent of the public wants to see us addressing climate change. The impacts are real. We are experiencing them now," Steggall, who plans to introduce the bill into parliament next month, told Reuters.

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Reuters, 12 Feb 2020: Australia's "black summer" provides glimmer of hope for climate policy action