Our balloon calls for more than hot air

The balloon flew over two coal-fired power stations in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, launched by a team of Greenpeace staff and volunteers camped in the Hunter Valley. As the eyecatching aircraft flew above coal stacks, it attracted plenty of attention on the ground.

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Directed by an experienced hot air balloon pilot, it drifted above Liddell and Bayswater coal-fired power stations with its urgent call for climate action. This call comes just days before the closing date for public submissions to the ALP’s much-debated Garnaut Review.

"The Garnaut review will need to lead Australia’s decisionmakers to the most economically and socially just transition from coal to renewable energy."

Julien Vincent, climate team, Greenpeace

Says Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner, Julien Vincent, "Ross Garnaut has said we must urgently make deep cuts to our greenhouse gas emissions. Burning coal is the biggest source of greenhouse emissions in Australia.

"If we’re going to reduce emissions to safe levels, it will mean the inevitable phasing out of coal – no new coal-fired power stations, closing down old coal-fired power stations and no more subsidies to coal companies."

Expert calls for a renewable future 

Dr Mark Diesendorf, from the University of New South Wales’ Institute for Environmental Studies, says that Australia’s future is in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

"There are excellent employment and investment opportunities in implementing these sustainable technologies in Australia now. There should be an immediate ban on new conventional coal-fired power stations and on major refurbishments of these dinosaurs.”

Greenpeace will make a submission to the Garnaut Review this week.