Greenpeace blockade of Queensland coal exports enters day three as crunch time comes for Pacific Island Forum

Greenpeace is taking action to highlight the dramatic expansion of Australia’s export coal capacity at a time when Pacific Island Leaders are meeting with Kevin Rudd in Cairns to call for the deep emissions cuts necessary to safeguard their futures against climate change.

“The kind of action that Greenpeace is taking is vital,” said Fijian Greenpeace campaigner Lagi Toribau. “Our communities at home are being displaced, and even the existence of some of the lower lying states such as Tuvalu is threatened. Time is running out. Kevin Rudd needs to back Pacific leaders, not blindly keep expanding coal exports at their expense.”

The action at Hay Point follows an earlier protest at Abbot Point on Tuesday, when four activists were arrested for shutting down the Abbot Point coal export terminal.

Today is the final day of the Pacific Island Forum in Cairns. Kevin Rudd needs to support the call from Small Island States to reduce emissions by 45%.

For further information contact:

Media advisor on board the Esperanza: James Lorenz 0400 376 021 or satellite phone 0011 47 5140 7986
Media advisor in Mackay: Elsa Evers 0438 204 041
Media advisor at the Pacific Islands Forum in Cairns: Keiller MacDuff 0429 033 411

New images and footage (after 8am):
AV Coordinator: Abram Powell 0409 812 641
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