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The action was launched from aboard the Greenpeace vessel the Esperanza, which is currently stationed just metres from the coal export terminal on the eve of the Pacific Islands Forum in Cairns.
"As Pacific Island leaders call for the 40-45% emission cuts needed to save their homes, Kevin Rudd presides over a massive coal industry expansion while posing as a climate hero," said Fijian Greenpeace campaigner Lagi Toribau. "Australia's Prime Minister needs to back Pacific calls for concrete action, not try to bully their leaders into submission."
Prime Minister Rudd has made highly conditional promises to reduce domestic carbon emissions by 5 to 25% by 2020, yet this export coal expansion would cancel out even the most ambitious target six times over. For the 5% reduction, this rises to fifteen times the target.
Financed by more than $328 million of public money in 2009/10, the doubling in size of the coal terminal at Abbott Point alone will result in an extra 67.5 million tonnes of carbon pollution per year. This is equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of 2.4 million Australians.
The Abbot Point coal terminal is only a small part of Australia's largest coal export expansion in decades, which will see total capacity more than double from 332 to 730 million tonnes per year.
"It doesn't matter where this coal is burned, carbon pollution has no borders," said Papua New Guinea activist Sam Moko at Abbot Point. "Climate change is already having a devastating impact on our homes and we need genuine support from our Australian neighbours. Unless emissions are drastically and rapidly reduced, low lying atolls such as Tuvalu will soon be uninhabitable."
Moreover, as a new Greenpeace briefing demonstrates, far from being a boon to Australia, coal is becoming an economic and environmental millstone around our necks. Pubic support for continued expansion is also in short supply, with a July poll commissioned by Greenpeace showing that 76% of Australians support a cap or reduction of coal exports.
By reinforcing Australia's position as the world's largest coal dealer, Rudd continues to shun not only his neighbours, but also common sense. Supporting Pacific leaders at the Pacific Island Forum would be a major step in the right direction.
CONTACTS:
James Lorenz Media Coordinator on board the Esperanza on +61 400 376 021,
+47 5140 7986
Greenpeace Media Advisor Josephine Prasad +61 408 487 155
Images and footage:
http://www.greenpeacemedia.org/
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