Rising Tide Northern Rivers is part of a peaceful mass movement for climate defence, recently launched at Hastings Point and in Lismore.
As Australia continues to be one of the world’s largest exporters of coal and gas, Rising Tide Northern Rivers say they are committed to helping end Australia’s biggest contribution to the climate crisis – coal – and stopping the export of coal via Newcastle, the world’s largest coal port.
Rising Tide Northern Rivers was established after more than 100 Northern Rivers locals attended the World’s Largest Blockade of the Port of Newcastle, in November 2023.
Across 32 hours, over 2,000 people used hundreds of kayaks to blockade the port. Seven locals were among the 109 who made up Australia’s largest mass arrest for climate action.
A rising tide of ordinary people, called by extraordinary times
At the launch of Rising Tide Northern Rivers in Hastings Point, participants paddled Cudgera Creek.
They reflected on what motivated them to become involved in climate action, and explored ways to grow the climate action network in the Northern Rivers.
At the Lismore Rising Tide Northern Rivers launch, Uncle Roy Gordon welcomed the group with words of wisdom and musicians Terri Nicholson and Paul Paitson shared songs of resistance and love for mother Earth.
Emma Briggs attended the Lismore event. She said she was excited to take meaningful action to take away the social license of fossil fuels.
‘Australia is making commitments to move away from coal and gas and protect forests on the international stage, but continuing with business as usual within the country.
‘It’s time to make the changes that we should have made twenty or thirty years ago,’ said Ms Briggs.
Rising Tide Northern Rivers are supporting the Save Wallum Campaign with the holding of a fundraising event.
They will be screening the Rising Tide film The First Wave: The People’s Blockade at Brunswick Heads Picture House this Sunday, 5 May at 5pm.
Tickets can be purchased from at the Brunswick Heads Picture House website.
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