New figures showing that Australia experienced its second hottest year on record in 2009 should prompt politicians to take urgent action to cut carbon pollution.
The figures also show that average temperatures in 2009 were 0.9 degrees above the 1961-1990 average, and average temperatures for the whole decade were 0.48 degrees higher.
"The figures from Australia's Bureau of Meteorology are consistent with similar observations around the world which show unequivocally that our planet is warming," said Kellie Caught, WWF-Australia's Climate Policy Manager.
"The community, politicians, businesses and scientists accept that two degrees of warming represents dangerous climate change, and disturbingly we are already at least a quarter of the way there.
"The figures provide a sober reminder to our political and business leaders that the problem we face is not far away - it is real, and it is happening now," said Ms Caught.
"It's time to stop trying to pick holes in solid science. We must introduce carbon pollution laws now to prevent dangerous climate change."
WWF asks for all sides of politics to support the proposed CPRS as an essential step in reducing Australia's carbon pollution.
"The overwhelming majority of developed countries already have, or are in the process of introducing, an emissions trading scheme. Australia will be left behind to the detriment of our economy and environment," said Ms Caught.
"Australia urgently needs to reduce carbon pollution by at least 25 per cent before 2020. This is the only way we will help keep global temperatures to a safe increase.
"We have the technology and an affordable policy solution to reduce carbon pollution, we need to ignore the naysayers and get on with the job."
