Inspiring report from Australia coal activist gathering

Kristin Gillies and Jenny Campbell from Coal Action Network Aotearoa have just spent 3 days at Australia’s largest-ever gathering of coal and gas activists www.beyondcoalandgas.org.

Kristin sends this report:

Three days amongst 250 of Australia’s most inspiring coal and gas campaigners has been a surprisingly emotional experience. As I reflect on the journey of the past few days I am left with a deep sense of respect for these people and those around the world so heavily impacted by the fossil fuel industry.

In my daily life and work it has been easy to overlook the widespread harm the industry is causing to right now to ordinary people every day. This conference has brought this home for me and I would like to share that with you.

Opening night: grim stories from the coal face  

A bloke of about 50 stands up, takes the mic, and introduces himself as an ex-coal miner who now spends his time fighting the expansion of the coal port, and therefore coal industry in McKay, Queensland.

He has felt the damage first hand. The numbers he uses are staggering, the millions of tonnes of coal, the amount of seabed that needs to be dredged, the number of coal trains, the amount of coal dust spread across the city.

And he tells the story of hurt, of struggle, and of grim determination that is similar to many other stories that night and those of the hundreds of people here, and the tens of thousands of people across the country so heavily impacted by the mining industry.

The first evening feels incredibly cathartic. People just need to tell their stories, talk about the hurt that is being felt in their communities, the price that is being paid by the land, the water and the people for the promised riches of this mining boom. And they are feeling it very hard.

The announcement next morning of the suicide of a farmer whom many here have been supporting brings it into sobering relief.  The pressure of being the only farmer in his area not to sell out to a giant coal seam gas company proving too great. There are plenty of tears.

Similarities with NZ 

I hope we never feel it this hard in New Zealand but am immediately struck by the similarities.

I think of the stories from around our country and how much they resonate with the stories I am hearing here.

I think of the people around Puhi Puhi, unsure and afraid of what the new gold mining permits issued there mean.

I think of the people of Waihi, who will now have to live with mining under their homes.

I think of the folks in Taranaki, who find their rural landscape suddenly industrialised by the burgeoning oil and gas companies; and the people of the Tararua, valiantly trying to stop Tag Oil doing the same to theirs.

And I think of Greymouth, the loss of jobs, the loss of life, and how much hurt they must be feeling.

Day two: Optimism and momentum 

But by day two there are less signs of pain and more smiling faces and it obvious why such a large and diverse crowd have gathered here. Workshops on the latest climate science, community organising, media skills, health monitoring, direct action, social media, lobbying, and groundwater impacts fill the place with an amazing sense of optimism.

When you look at the diversity in the crowd it is obvious that this is a movement that has momentum and knows it is going to win. Doctors, farmers, students, church leaders, grandmothers, taxi drivers and others talk about the positive change that is happening around the country.

1 million homes on solar power, coal power stations shutting down, communities blockading gas companies, nanas knitting to stop coal seam gas, everyday folks changing their super funds because they invest in fossil fuels.

And they say this is just the beginning.

Lessons for NZ: finance is crucial 

Coming home, I am inspired to put some of the lessons from here into action. The key points discussed here are stopping investment and encouraging divestment from fossil fuel projects. Knowing our government Superfund, our major banks, and other institutions responsible for investing our money are putting it in such a destructive industry demands attention.

Understanding finance seems crucial in exposing and ultimately stopping investment in climate change. There is also a lot of work being put into building community resilience, simple and effective when the industry comes knocking.

I also feel inspired to help make an event like this happen in New Zealand. The sharing, the support and the strategising are invaluable and can only strengthen our movement.  I’m taking expressions of interest.

It has been an experience and a privilege to have spent these past days in the midst of such a determined movement. The words shared at the closing are less about hurt and more about the inevitability of success.

I have a moment of jealousy, wishing for the resources and breadth of experience in our movement in New Zealand, but quickly acknowledge it is borne out of necessity, something I hope we never feel like here to the same extent. These fractured communities see not only contaminated water and land, but understand that the floods and the droughts are also impacts of the fossil fuel industry and climate change.

In New Zealand we have had some great victories against the fossil fuel industry. The fight which stopped Marsden B going ahead has ensured we will never build another coal fired power station again. Petrobras abandoning plans for deep sea oil exploration off the East Cape and Solid Energy dropping plans for lignite conversion in Southland are some of our recent wins.

In New Zealand we have achieved a great deal but still find ourselves on the cusp of a massive expansion of the fossil fuel industry. This expansion is already being passionately opposed across the country – from the fight to stop coal mining at Denniston, the growing Lock The Gate movement against oil and gas, and the national opposition to the threat of Anadarko drilling in our coastal waters this summer.

We have defeated these threats before and must continue to learn, to share, and to work together to ensure we defeat them again and minimise the harm like I have witnessed here.

We still have a choice:

We can let the government continue to roll out the red carpet to these companies and face the same fate as these people who have gathered here this weekend.

Or we can take a cue from the growing number of communities I have met here this weekend and take action to keep them out.

I know which I am inspired to do.

Kristin

Ka Nui! Enough! Protest the NZ Petroleum Summit: 19th September, Wellington

Ka Nui! Enough!

Join a coalition of local groups at a protest outside the NZ Petroleum summit 2012, and say “Ka Nui, Enough!” to the oil and gas industry.
Industries are literally counting down to this event, where the Energy Minister will speak on the government’s planned expansion of oil and gas extraction in New Zealand.

At a time when we should be transitioning towards clean energy and a sustainable and more equitable society, this government continues to push its “mine it, drill it” vision for Aotearoa New Zealand. This government is supporting an oil and gas industry which pollutes communities and our rural environment while bullying those who resist; all for the profit of a tiny minority.

With many in local communities across Aotearoa locking their gates to get oil and gas out of their back yards, it’s Wellington’s turn to show our support for the communities affected by the expansion of the oil and gas industries in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Sustainable future not climate chaos!

Clean waters not toxic oil spills!

5pm, Wednesday 19th September
Outside the Amora Hotel, Wakefield St, Wellington.
Please bring banners, placards, and noisemakers if you wish.

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/257320647720952/

Family friendly. Join us afterwards for a koha dinner and discussion.

The poster is below – if you are able to distribute these to friends/family/workmates/classmates or in local shops or libraries, that would be fantastic.

If you can’t make the event itself, but are willing to make a banner / placard at home, please email frances.mountier@gmail.com. Please see the text above for ideas for wording.

Let’s Put A Freeze on Coal Mining: Wellington, Tuesday 8 May

Let’s Put A Freeze on Coal Mining

You are invited to help put a freeze on coal mining in New Zealand by attending a flash freeze in Wellington’s Midland Park on Tuesday May 8th, starting at noon. (Midland Park is on Lambton Quay between Waring Taylor Street and Johnston Street.)

This event forms part of the “Say No to Coal Mining” day of the Aotearoa Is Not For Sale Hikoi.

Here’s the plan:

12.00: Gather in Midland Park. Feel free to bring signs such as “Put a freeze on coal mining”, “Say no to coal mining” or “Keep the coal in the hole”.

We’ll need some people to do leafletting – please come over to the stall for leaflets. We’ll also be aiming to sign up people to the Coal Action Network Aotearoa mailing list, and Forest and Bird representatives will also be taking part, focusing on the campaign against the planned Denniston coalmine.

12.15: Spread out!

12:20: Listen for the mighty blast on a saxophone that signals the start of the Freeze. Then, freeze for three minutes.

The leafletters will keep moving, explaining to people that we are frozen as a call to Government to put a freeze on coal mining in New Zealand. After three minutes the trombone will play again, signalling that it is time to start moving.

After that, we’ll all spread out, leaflet, and talk to people about why the expansion of coal mining is a really bad thing for New Zealand, the climate, and the world. We’ll explain that we support a clean economy that delivers greater value and isn’t just focused on short-term gain for a few.

12:45: We’ll come back together and conclude the event by listening to brief speeches, which we hope will include representatives of the hikoi, Coal Action Network Aotearoa and Ora Taiao.

We hope to see you there!

G-Force Against Climate Change – Demo On The Steps Of Parliament

Jill Whitmore of G-Force writes:

My granddaughter and I and her parents will be on the steps of Parliament for two afternoons, starting on Wednesday.

On Thursday 1 March from 12 noon until about 2pm, we hope to be joined there by many other grandparents and grandchildren, also great-aunts and –uncles and other mature New Zealanders – “G-Force”, and all those who would like the opportunity to protest against our continuing slide towards runaway climate change.

For almost the first time, the human race has the power to extinguish our planet’s capacity to support life. All we have to do to accomplish this ultimate catastrophe, is to continue to burn all the world’s coal reserves. According to a recent study, this would result in global temperature rising at least 15 degrees Centigrade!!.

The authors of this study conclude that we are not going to “run out” of fossil fuels; long before then, we will run out of liveable planet.

As “props” we will have a large blue ball, painted to represent planet Earth, with its green and tawny land masses and its ice caps. And a sign saying “Too Precious to Fry”. And a few other signs, many of them relating to coal, e.g. “Save the Climate / No New Coal!”.

Those joining us, feel free to bring your own signs. We will gather under a banner saying “We Care What Sort Of World Our Grandchildren Inherit!”

We are hoping that we will hear briefly from Green MP Gareth Hughes, and from Dr Martin Manning of Victoria University’s Climate Change Research Institute.

It would be great if Wellington people can go along and support Jill and other members of G-Force at Thursday lunchtime.

On Lignite and Civil Disobedience

NASA Climate Scientist James Hansen is arrested protesting against coal mining

On Friday last week the website of state owned coal miner Solid Energy was hacked and visitors redirected  to a video featuring large scale destruction caused by open cast coal mining and with a link to this website. The action gained much media attention and being election eve it even managed to draw John Key out to describe the act as “underhand tactics”. 

The following editorial by Coal Action Network Spokesperson Kristin Gillies was published this week in the Southland Times in response……

 

On Friday last week Roger L of Stolen Energy hacked the website of state owned coal miner Solid Energy and redirected visitors to a video featuring large scale destruction caused by open cast coal mining. The action gained much media attention and being election eve it even managed to draw John Key out to describe the act as “underhand tactics” and comment that New Zealanders wanted to have “a genuine debate” about the sale of Solid Energy.

If it is true that New Zealanders want to have a genuine debate, and I think that it is, then why did Mr Key not tell us where and when this debate would happen? Why didn’t Mr Key explain why Solid Energy has begun construction on the first of its plants in a massive scheme to turn billions of tones of dirty lignite into briquettes, diesel, and urea before this debate has happened?

Thus far the debate is conspicuous by its absence, and in the run up to the general election the question of future energy supply and climate change, surely two of the greatest challenges facing the planet today, were all but invisible. And so it was left to Roger L to move the debate forward, and he did more to bring the discussion on energy and climate to the dinner table than any party political broadcast that I saw. Those “underhand tactics” have played a brief but important role in New Zealanders being able to have a debate about such an important subject.

And let’s face it, the mining of billions of tonnes of dirty lignite coal, the resulting massive increase in greenhouse gas emissions, the loss of tens of thousands of hectares of productive land and the aquifers below them, and the clouds of coal dust, and mercury laden ash billowing across the countryside, are not things we should be rushed into. Yet construction has begun.

Surely a few hours inconvenience to the users of Solid Energy’s website seems insignificant when compared to what we risk if their mining plans are fully realised.

This country’s history is full of acts of leadership now heralded as brave and courageous, acts which were once described as “underhand” and illegal. The nuclear-free movement, women’s right to vote, the anti-Springbok Tour protests, the Save Manapouri and Save Aramoana campaigns were all peppered with actions which I am sure John Key would describe today as underhand.

Outraged farmers also engaged in a little civil disobedience when they drove a tractor and herded cows onto the steps of parliament to protest the proposed “fart tax”. While I disagree with their cause their right to show their opposition in this manner is an essential part of our modern day democracy.

Our history tells us that when those in power do not uphold the values of the population, do not make space for genuine debate, but steamroll through unpopular policy and perpetuate injustice, it is up to those men and woman determined enough to stand up, even peacefully break the law, to get the message out and to make change happen.

So I applaud Roger L for raising the questions that so few in power seem to want to answer- that of our future energy requirements and the impending threat of runaway climate change.

Perhaps Roger L was following the advice of Dr James Hansen, top climate scientist at NASA and recent visitor to the region, who said “It seems to me that young people, especially, should be doing whatever is necessary to block construction of dirty coal fired power plants”. Perhaps he was recalling the statement of American Vice-President Al Gore, that “I can’t understand why there aren’t rings of young people blocking bulldozers, and preventing them from constructing coal-fired power plants”.

This coming January, concerned citizens from around the country will descend on a small sheep farm in the Mataura Valley for three days of camping, live music, workshops, strategy and non violent direct action about the mining of lignite in Southland. These are people whom have been having genuine debate, who want to share, to learn, and to stand in solidarity with those who oppose Solid Energy’s plans to turn the valley into an open cast mine.

Climate change is unarguably the greatest challenge facing us. Solid Energy’s plans for massive scale lignite mining are so short sighted, and the damage they will cause to both the local environment and the global climate are so severe, that action to oppose them is essential. Not only are people justified in using any means to peacefully and creatively oppose them, but we are actually obliged to do so.

It is as Mr Key says in the closing of Roger L’s video: “we are the masters of our own destiny”. At no point in history have these words been more true.

 

 

Move beyond coal, Now!

http://www.sierraclub.org/coal/narratives/

The Sierra Club recently put out this publication on ‘Voices from the Front Lines of the Global Struggle’

“This publication gives voice to the brave activists from around the world whose daily struggle bears witness to this ongoing tragedy as they counter the ravenous nature of this dirty, dangerous, and outdated industry. Rather than be bowed by the industry’s onslaught, these activists are leading communities across the world to band together and fight back. Their valiant struggle comes at a time when clean energy is being rapidly deployed without sacrificing communities or ecosystems. An inconvenient truth the coal industry is fighting to suppress as it attempts to claw its way into the 21st century.”

Exciting Non-violent Direct Action against Mountaintop Removal in the US

Exciting non-violent direct action being undertaken by the Mountain Justice crew in the Appalachians (in eastern USA), against mountaintop removal:
http://mountainjustice.org/events.php?id=222

Also check out their video on the first days of the Tree Sit to halt the blasting.

Hands Across the Sands Actions in the top of the south (photos and article)

Motueka hands across the sands

Around 130 people joined hands on Saturday June 25 on the beach at Motueka Quay insupport of phasing out fossil fuels. The symbolic action of joining hands, and literally drawing a line in the sand, occurred simultaneously in Nelson, Motueka and Golden Bay. There were over 100 people on Pohara beach in Golden Bay and over 140 people at Tahunanui beach in Nelson. This series of regionally organised actions were the first in a series of seven across New Zealand and hundreds of international events globally. ‘Hands Across The Sand’ is an international movement of people calling for Governments and industry to abandon their fossil fuel agendas.

Pohara beach. Golden Bay

On his recent tour of New Zealand, Dr James Hansen, top NASA climate scientist stated “coal emissions must be phased out as rapidly as possible or global climate disasters will be a dead certainty. ‘Clean coal’ technology does not exist and carbon capture is not economically feasible. Developed countries will need to complete their coal phase-out by about 2020, if global phase-out of coal is to be achieved by 2030. If coal emissions are phased out this rapidly— a tall order, but a feasible one— the climate problem is solvable.”Dr Hansen has warned, “Coal is the single greatest threat to civilization and all life on our planet.”

Nelson

Coal Action Network Aotearoa spokesperson for top of the south, Helen Tulett, spoke at the Motueka ‘Hands Across The Sand’ event, ”the turnout today is very inspiring, 70 people came to hear Jeanette Fitzsimons speak on Southland Lignite developments at a meeting on Monday, and to have double that participating today in the international call for a renewable energy future, sends a strong message to Government and industry that New Zealand must leave the coal in the hole”.

Banner in Nelson

Hands Across the Sand http://www.handsacrossthesand.com/

Dr James Hansen quote from: http://www.stormsofmygrandchildren.com/climate_catastrophe_solutions.html

Motueka banner

Pohara beach

CAN Aotearoa Supports Day of Action Against Fossil Fuel Extraction

Press Release: Coal Action Network Aotearoa

24/7/11
FOR IMMEDIATE USE

Coal Action Network Aotearoa has today come out in support of the Top of the South ‘hands across the sand’ regional actions, occurring simultaneously on June 25^th at 12noon on Tahunanui, Motueka and Pohara beaches. These events will kick off an international day of action against fossil fuel extraction.

“People in Nelson, Motueka and Golden Bay are taking this opportunity to join hands and draw a line in the sand to say no to expanded fossil fuel extraction in NZ and urge the Government to abandon their fossil fuel agenda”said Frances Mountier, spokesperson for Coal Action Network Aotearoa.

“We call for New Zealand to leave the coal in the hole. Coal Action Network Aotearoa stands in solidarity with the people in Nelson, Motueka, Golden Bay and people from countries around the world who are using their voices to call for a clean energy future – such as Australia, UK, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Norway and South Africa. There are 180 events confirmed in the US alone”.

For more on hands across the sand see: www.handsacrossthesand.org

“On a local, national and global level, joining hands sends a powerful visual message to Governments and corporations that New Zealand must leave the coal in the hole. We are unified in our concerns against fossil fuel extraction, and are calling for an economy based on clean renewable energy”.

“Coal Action Network Aotearoa supports the call from the top of the south to phase out fossil fuels. We don’t want to contribute to catastrophic climate change by supporting further fossil fuel extraction. Instead there needs to be more discussion around the economic opportunities Aotearoa New Zealand will miss out on. We need to priortise the development of home-grown clean technologies.”

Coal Action Network is aware of the applications made by the overseas shadow company Greywolf in the Tasman Bay region and understands this company is a front for the massive Chinese company Qinghua.

“There have been multiple public meetings held in the Nelson, Tasman Bay region in the past few weeks which have seen people expressing their outrage at the current government’s interest in continuing fossil fuel extraction over an economy based on clean, renewable energy” said Ms Mountier.

Note: Greywolf’s applications for exploration in the Tasman Bay region were withdrawn as a result of local opposition by groups including Manawhenua Ki Mohua, who called a meeting at Onetahua marae. Greywolf are now facing investigations of deception through the Serious Fraud Office.

ENDS

Contact spokesperson

Frances Mountier

Coal Action Network Aotearoa

021 175 7484

Coal Action Network Aotearoa Supports Day of Action Against Fossil Fuel Extraction

Press Release: Coal Action Network Aotearoa

24/7/11

FOR IMMEDIATE USE

Coal Action Network Aotearoa has today come out in support of the, Top of the South ‘hands across the sand’ regional actions, occurring simultaneously on June 25^th at 12noon on Tahunanui, Motueka and Pohara beaches. These events will kick off an international day of action against fossil fuel extraction.

“People in Nelson, Motueka and Golden Bay are taking this opportunity to join hands and draw a line in the sand to say no to expanded fossil fuel extraction in NZ and urge the Government to abandon their fossil fuel agenda” said Frances Mountier, spokesperson for Coal Action Network Aotearoa.

“We call for New Zealand to leave the coal in the hole. Coal Action Network Aotearoa stands in solidarity with the people in Nelson, Motueka, Golden Bay and people from countries around the world who are using their voices to call for a clean energy future – such as Australia, UK, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Norway and South Africa. There are 180 events confirmed in the US alone”.

For more on hands across the sand see; www.handsacrossthesand.org

“On a local, national and global level, joining hands sends a powerful visual message to Governments and corporations that New Zealand must leave the coal in the hole. We are unified in our concerns against fossil fuel extraction, and are calling for an economy based on clean renewable energy”.

“Coal Action Network Aotearoa supports the call from the top of the south to phase out fossil fuels. We don’t want to contribute to catastrophic climate change by supporting further fossil fuel extraction. Instead there needs to be more discussion around the economic opportunities Aotearoa New Zealand will miss out on. We need to priortise the development of home-grown clean technologies.”

Coal Action Network is aware of the applications made by the overseas shadow company Greywolf in the Tasman Bay region and understands this company is a front for the massive Chinese company Qinghua.

“There have been multiple public meetings held in the Nelson, Tasman Bay region in the past few weeks which have seen people expressing their outrage at the current government’s interest in continuing fossil fuel extraction over an economy based on clean, renewable energy” said Ms Mountier.

Note: Greywolf’s applications for exploration in the Tasman Bay region were withdrawn as a result of local opposition by groups including Manawhenua Ki Mohua, who called a meeting at Onetahua marae. Greywolf are now facing investigations of deception through the Serious Fraud Office.

ENDS

Contact spokesperson

Frances Mountier

Coal Action Network Aotearoa

021 175 7484

Global Day of Action Against Extraction