The Adani coal mine in Queensland will mean many things if it gets both government clearance and the money to go ahead. Destroying the Great Barrier Reef and increasing global warming leading to further extreme weather events are just the start. The NAB have said no to funding the mine and the ANZ have said at this time they don’t see themselves as funding it but the Commonwealth and Westpac banks have yet to declare a position.
This morning around 60 people turned up outside Lismore’s Westpac bank, including the knitting nannas, to ask them to clarify their position on funding the the proposed Carmichael mine in the galilee basin of Queensland.
‘Over the lifetime of the Carmichael mine, billions of tons of CO2 would be emitted into the atmosphere,’ said George Pick from the Lismore Environment Centre. ‘The Great Barrier Reef would be put at even greater risk than it is currently facing. It’s almost too much to contemplate – coal laden ships in their thousands navigating up and down the reef with the inevitable spills and contamination.’
The Federal government seems determined to pursue uneconomic technology solutions in the face of the clear scientific evidence that coal and other fossil fuels should be left in the ground. This was recently reinforced by Martin Moore the CEO of CS energy, on ABC’s 7.30 with Leigh Sales, who produce ‘a third of Queensland’s power, and runs two of the most advanced coal-fired plants in the country.’ He stated that they have no plans to build more coal fired plants in the country ‘because the economics don’t add up.’
Recent native title court decisions have also challenged the Federal government who are now scrambling to introduce legislation that will nullify the court’s decisions by introducing legislation to clear the way for the mine to proceed.
‘We expect a result from the high court that indigenous groups have put up in order to block the mine in the near future,’ said Pick. ‘The Federal government has been alarmed at recent native title court decisions and is attempting to change certain elements by legislation to clear the way for the mine to go ahead. Further protests are expected in the coming months. We want to inform Westpac that their brand will be severely affected if they proceed with a loan. Many, many Australians feel deeply concerned about this.’
For more information contact the Lismore environment centre or get involved in the 350.org campaign.
