On Tuesday Sydney Knitting Nannas and Friends gathered outside the first sitting of the NSW parliament following their winter break. We encouraged all MPs to do better, especially on the causes of climate change and the degradation of the environment.
In particular we were calling for a much faster transition away from coal mining, because we know the coal industry is pushing for massive expansions and extensions as far out as the 2050s.
We had in mind the words of Australian climate scientist Joelle Gergis on what is our job as citizens who know that fossil fuels are cooking the planet:
“We (climate scientists) know exactly how to put the brakes on global warming – the IPCC has been saying it for at least thirty years.
We need our politicians to listen and have the heart and the courage to do the right thing. But for them to do what they know is right, ordinary Australians need to care about the future of our planet and vote for leaders who reflect the values of our local communities. As our next federal election approaches, we need a critical mass of people willing to create a social tipping point that demands our leaders do better.”
What we need to know about Coal in NSW
The coal industry has embarked on a huge push to get approvals in place while they can. There are 18 new coal projects in the planning system, among them the monster Hunter Valley Operations, the biggest coal mining project ever proposed in NSW, wanting to mine until 2050.
Then there’s the Moolarben coal project near Mudgee. This mine wants to extend its emissions until 2034 and clear 624 hectares of native vegetation, including habitat critical to the survival of koalas and regent honeyeaters.
The Minns’ government’s support for renewable energy to replace domestic energy supplies is essential for reducing domestic emissions, but this should not distract us from the huge contribution to climate change made by our coal exports. Most of the coal mined in NSW is for export, as are the proposed new mines.
The big worry about the proposed projects is that the government’s policy on coal is the exact policy of the Liberal/National coalition devised by John Barilaro in 2020. It’s no surprise that it is a policy of expanding coal mining rather than phasing it out.
To make things worse the planning system has a “Modification pathway”, designed to allow some of the mines to be ticked off by the pro-coal Planning Department rather than being assessed by the Independent Planning Commission. Two mines using the Modification pathway have already been approved this year, at Boggabri and Singleton. (Lock the Gate)
Net Zero Commission
On Tuesday during our rally we were visited by Jeremy Buckingham MLC, a Legalise Cannabis Party MP. He gave us the good news the Net Zero Commission (NZC) has been launched by the government.
The Commissioners are a diverse and independent group responsible for advising the government on climate action. They will advise the parliament and will be supported by a parliamentary committee chaired by Mr Buckingham. The NZC’s first report is due in November.
We need action now
It’s good to see these groups focused on the parliament’s commitment to climate action, but right now we need to push MPs to act to stop the HVO and Moolarben, which could be approved before the end of this year.
What can we do about the coal expansion?
1. Sign the petition to the Premier
2. Join the Conga Line presentation of the petition to the Premier on 28 August, 8am at 52 Martin Place. Nannas will be there
3. Follow the NSW Coalwatch campaign by Lock the Gate for updates
4. Contact your state MP about the proposed new coal mines. Tell them that you strongly support the work happening to develop renewables, but it’s not enough on its own.
Joelle Gergis again:
“The scientific reality is, regardless of political spin used to justify the continued exploitation of fossil fuel reserves, the laws of physics will keep warming the planet until we stop pumping carbon into the atmosphere and begin cleaning up the mess. The situation is too far gone for renewable energy alone to save us.”
Joelle Gergis – Highway to Hell – Climate Change and Australia’s Future. Quarterly Essay 94.