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7.40am, 28 July 2008, Hay Point, Queensland: Greenpeace activists review their message painted on the side of this massive coal exporter: "Murray-Darling gone".
Enlarge imageThe activists came from the Greenpeace ship the Esperanza and drove up to the coal ships in inflatable boats while they were anchored in the queue, painting the messages along the sides.
The action highlights the Rudd Government’s plans to rapidly expand Australia’s coal exports when the world is trying to cut global emissions.
Ask Kevin Rudd to join the Energy [R]evolution
Why are we doing this?
Our action today highlights the contradiction between Kevin Rudd’s walk and his talk. Whilst talking about urgent action on climate change, he is overseeing plans for Australia’s first new coal port in decades and a doubling of NSW’s and Queensland’s coal exports.
Export coal expansion plans in Queensland alone would increase Australia’s total current emissions by 80%, the same as the greenhouse pollution from 65 average sized coal-fired power stations. Emissions from all the planned expansions total 729 million tonnes of CO2 - equal to 125% of Australia’s total current emissions or the same as the greenhouse pollution from 104 average sized coal-fired power stations each year.
A new poll reveals that 82% of Australians want Australia’s coal exports capped or reduced. It raises the question: is Kevin Rudd going to shape up to be the climate leader Australians hoped he would be?
Australia exporting CO2
Australia is the world’s largest coal exporter by far, accounting for 30% of the world’s total coal exports. By doubling this amount, we will double the amount of CO2 emissions we ship off to other parts of the world.
Just days ago in Port Douglas, Kevin Rudd said ‘Australia must act locally and globally on the challenge of climate change because if we fail great assets like the Great Barrier Reef will be fatally in peril’. Yet he is overseeing huge coal export expansion plans in NSW and in Queensland, which will accelerate climate change impacts.
CO2 obviously knows no borders, so whether it’s produced here in Australia or in other countries, it will have the same contribution to climate change and the world’s pristine environments. In his climate change review for the federal government, 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 majority of our coal exports go to developed nations, such as Japan and European countries, which could, and should, be using renewables not coal.
The very least Kevin Rudd can do is to cap our coal exports at current levels and ban future coal expansions. This is what four out of five Australians want to see happen.
Queensland: the world's best solar state
Queensland has the best solar resources in the world, but instead of leading the way in renewable energy, the Sunshine State has plans to massively expand its export coal industry. Just two weeks ago Premier Bligh announced a $5.3 billion dollar package to build a new coal mine, rail line and coal port.
Last week the Queensland Government was accused of protecting the coal industry by sitting on a CSIRO report released a year ago, which found that Queensland could meet all of its energy needs through renewable sources.
It is contradictory and immoral for Premier Bligh to plan to double the state’s export coal industry while at the same time talking about the urgent need to tackle climate change.
Renewables are a winning solution
The earth has enough renewable energy to power the globe six times over forever. In Australia, all that’s missing is the political will.
If the Rudd government 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
If Australia wants to go on being an energy exporter, we should export renewable technology, not coal.
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 and halt the expansion of Australia’s export coal industry. We can’t continue to burn coal and ship CO2 emissions overseas and say that we are fighting climate change.
Take action: Sign the petition
