A NASA scientist has asked Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to halt all coal exports from Australia, claiming they are causing irreparable damage to the planet.

Mr Rudd, who is currently on a world tour that takes in the United States, Europe and Asia, also at the weekend spoke with US President George W. Bush about climate change, applying further pressure for a real world pact.


NASA's chief climate scientist James Hansen has today written to Mr Rudd, requesting that he halt all further exports of coal from Australia, and phase out fossil-fueled power stations.

Dr Hansen is believed to have written that exports from Australia are causing more damage to the environment, and are not helping in a reduction of greenhouse gases.