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Greenpeace activists scale a smokestack of Swanbank B coal plant, near Ipswich, Queensland.
Enlarge imageAt dawn this morning, four activists started scaling the 140-metre-high smokestack of Swanbank B coal-fired plant, near Ipswich. Two other activists unfurled a banner reading “Energy [R]evolution” on the roof of the 37-year-old plant.
Swanbank B is one of Queensland's oldest and dirtiest power stations.
Why are we doing this?
Our action today highlights Australia's urgent need to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Says Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner, Julien Vincent, "This will only be achieved if renewable power such as solar and geothermal replace dirty coal-fired power plants, like this one."
Swanbank B causes more than two million tonnes of carbon emissions a year. That's the same pollution as 300,000 cars a year.
If every home in Queensland switched to solar hot water, Swanbank B could be switched off.
"Jobs in coal can be replaced by jobs in renewable energy. There is no way to replace the Great Barrier Reef."
Julien Vincent, Greenpeace energy campaigner
The world's best solar state
Queensland has the best solar resources in the world. It's a tragedy that the Sunshine State isn’t leading the way in renewable energy.
Says Julien Vincent, "If Prime Minister Kevin Rudd acts now, Australia could become a powerhouse for renewable energy manufacturing and technological development, creating thousands of new jobs and investment opportunities."
Read the Energy [R]evolution Scenario: Australia report
Australia is way behind many other countries in developing renewable energy. For example, Spain over the next 18 months will roll out enough solar thermal power to replace Swanbank B power station four times over.
Renewables are a winning solution
Replacing dirty coal fired power stations with zero emission renewable energy will help Australia fight climate change with a clean and affordable energy supply, free from the effects of international fossil fuel prices.
The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd promised Australians action on climate change. To prove he's serious, he must agree to replace ageing power stations with renewable energy by the end of this electoral term in 2010. We can’t continue to burn coal and say that we are fighting climate change.
Garnaut in Brisbane today
The Government’s climate change advisor, Professor Ross Garnaut, is in Brisbane today to present his interim review which Greenpeace says placed too much emphasis on unproven CCS technology.
Read our analysis of the Garnaut Review
Professor Garnaut has said that if we do not successfully combat climate change, the Great Barrier Reef will die and we will lose 50,000 jobs and $5 billion in tourism dollars each year.
The earth has enough renewable energy to power the globe six times over forever. In Australia, all that’s missing is the political will.
Find out more - get onboard the Esperanza in Brisbane this weekend
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