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Esperanza blockades coal port

August 06, 2009
Esperanza docked off the Hay Point coal terminal where Greenpeace activists blockaded a coal loader.

Esperanza docked off the Hay Point coal terminal where Greenpeace activists blockaded a coal loader.

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Hay Point, Australia — At 2.30pm today, Greenpeace steamed its largest vessel the Esperanza into Hay Point Coal Terminal aiming to block a coal berth at one of the world’s largest coal export ports.

With leaders at the Pacific Island Forum due to make their final statement in Cairns this afternoon, Greenpeace is further escalating its calls for climate justice for the Pacific Islands.

» Watch the action live via ship webcam

“The Pacific Island leaders have made clear that they need emissions cuts of 45%,” said Greenpeace Campaigner Lagi Toribau. “All they have received so far are platitudes about help to erect higher sea walls against the rising tides caused by Australian coal.”

Greenpeace has maintained actions for three days to highlight the massive expansion of Australian coal export capacity at a time when Pacific Leaders are demanding real support on climate change. Four activists have blocked coal loaders at Hay Point now for more than 30 hours.

“The time has come to stop talking and put some hard and fast figures on the table that will protect our homes and communities,” said Toribau.