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“State premier Anna Bligh today told the Garnaut forum in Brisbane that when it comes to climate change Queensland has ‘a lot to do and a lot to lose’,” said Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner Julian Vincent who is on the stack. “As a ‘guardian of the Great Barrier Reef’ Ms Bligh should not be pushing more coal, she should instead be making Queensland a true sunshine state by turning off power stations like this one and investing in the true clean energy generated by renewables, such as solar.”
The activists are determined to continue their occupation of the 37 year old Swanbank B coal-fired plant as they call for a revolution in the way Australia produces its energy. Swanbank B is responsible for more than 2.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions a year – equivalent to the annual pollution of 300,000 cars. If every home in Queensland switched to solar hot water, the station could be switched off. Vincent said the activists would come down sooner if Bligh or Rudd commit to closing Swanbank by the next election.
The peaceful protest comes at a critical time in Australia’s fight against climate change. By the end of this year, the Federal Government will release its detailed policy response to the climate challenge. Prime Minister Rudd’s climate advisor Professor Ross Garnaut today addressed a forum in Brisbane where he detailed the dramatic impacts climate change would have on the Great Barrier Reef, agriculture and the health of Queenslanders. Burning coal, not personal consumption, was fuelling climate change, Prof. Garnaut said. He warned that ‘deluding ourselves with symbolic actions’ would lead to catastrophic consequences.
Australia is already falling behind many other countries in the development of renewable energy. Over the next 18 months, Spain will roll out enough thermal power to replace this power station four times over.
The activists are determined to continue their occupation of the 37 year old Swanbank B coal-fired plant as they call for a revolution in the way Australia produces its energy. Swanbank B is responsible for more than 2.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions a year – equivalent to the annual pollution of 300,000 cars. If every home in Queensland switched to solar hot water, the station could be switched off. Vincent said the activists would come down sooner if Bligh or Rudd commit to closing Swanbank by the next election.
The peaceful protest comes at a critical time in Australia’s fight against climate change. By the end of this year, the Federal Government will release its detailed policy response to the climate challenge. Prime Minister Rudd’s climate advisor Professor Ross Garnaut today addressed a forum in Brisbane where he detailed the dramatic impacts climate change would have on the Great Barrier Reef, agriculture and the health of Queenslanders. Burning coal, not personal consumption, was fuelling climate change, Prof. Garnaut said. He warned that ‘deluding ourselves with symbolic actions’ would lead to catastrophic consequences.
Australia is already falling behind many other countries in the development of renewable energy. Over the next 18 months, Spain will roll out enough thermal power to replace this power station four times over.
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For further information or comment
Contacts at Swanbank: Julien Vincent is available for comment contact Louise Clifton Communications Officer 0438 204041 For visuals: Michelle Thomas Audio-Visual Coordinator 0404 096 556
