Rising Tide

See original page at www.risingtide.org.au/walk-in

Community walk-in against coal exports

Saturday 8th December - International day of action against climate change

11am, Kooragang Island wind turbine

Transport help available

• #what">What will happen?

• #why">Why protest coal exports?

• #ida">What is the International Day of Action about?

• #bring">What do I need to bring?

• #transport">How do I get there?

#what" id="what">What will happen?

We will meet at 11am at the Kooragang Island wind turbine, and you'll be offered a pen and paper and encouraged to write a letter pledging to do what you can to prevent the expansion of coal exports from Newcastle. We will then undertake a colourful protest parade across the site of the proposed new coal terminal for Newcastle to the site of the existing Kooragang coal terminal. We will attempt to walk-in on the coal terminal, to present our pledges. If you decide not to attempt the walk-in, you can read your pledge out on a microphone, and peg it to the fence of the coal loader. You can come to the walk-in without getting in trouble with the police.

#why" id="why">Why protest coal exports?

Coal exports are Australia's biggest contribution to climate change. The greenhouse pollution from our coal exports is greater than all of our domestic greenhouse pollution combined - every power station, vehicle, steel mill, and landclearing operation. Worse still, with the world facing a climate crisis, Australia's coal exports are undergoing a massive expansion. Newcastle - already the world's biggest exporter - is set to double its coal exports. As the new Australian government heads to Bali for the UN climate talks, we need to point out that any realistic solution to climate change must include a transition away from coal. We can start with a ban on new coal exports and power stations.

#ida" id="ida">What is the International Day of Action about?

On the 8th December protests all around the world will take place to demand that world leaders meeting at the UN climate talks in Bali "take the urgent and resolute action that is needed to prevent the catastrophic destabilisation of global climate, so that the entire world can move as rapidly as possible to a stronger emissions reductions treaty which is both equitable and effective in preventing dangerous climate change. We also demand that the long-industrialised countries that have emitted most greenhouse gases up to now take most of the responsibility for the adaptive measures that have to be taken, especially by low-emitting countries with limited economic resources."

This protest is part of the global day of action.

#bring" id="bring">What do I need to bring?

• Parade props of your choice - drums, noise-makers, placards, banners, flags, etc
• Water
• Sun protection

#transport" id="transport">How do I get there?

• The Newcastle Bicycle Ecology Centre is leading a bike-ride to the protest. You can find out more on their website.
• Rising Tide is organising a car-pool from Newcastle. If you have space, or want space, in a car, please get in touch.
• If you are making your own way there, this map , and this map, may help you.

Contact: (02) 4926 1641

Make a donation to Rising Tide

Further stories

"Newcastle group blocks coal train to stop climate change" 20 Nov 07
Coal terminal blockage ended - SMH, 19 Nov 07
Australian coal train blocked from port - IndyMedia Germany, 19 Nov 07
Greenies blockade Newcastle coal train
Protester chained to railway line- Sun Herald, 19 Nov 07
Protestors block coal ships in Newcastle The Age, 19 Nov 07

Original story from www.risingtide.org.au/coaltrainblockade

Grassroots climate change action group Rising Tide has blockaded a coal train on its way into the world’s biggest coal export port, at Kooragang Island in Newcastle Harbour. No trains are able to enter Kooragang Coal Terminal because of the blockade.

The blockade comes just two days after the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report warning that the effects of climate change will be worse than previously anticipated, and five days before the Federal Election.

Spokesperson for Rising Tide, Georgina Woods, said, “Our Governments have failed us: both major parties are terminally addicted to coal. The situation is dreadful and we have been forced to take this action because the leadership of this country is morally bankrupt.”

The IPCC reports that two degree Celsius warming of the globe will put about one third of species at risk of extinction. Billions of people are predicted to be at risk of water scarcity.

“There is no longer any room for vacillation: we must act, and that is what we are doing today.”

“When faced with an overwhelming problem and a Government unwilling or unable to take action to solve the problem, it is the duty of all citizens to take action on the community’s behalf.

“There is no way Australia can continue passing the buck on climate change. We are the biggest per capita emitter of greenhouse gases and the biggest coal exporter in the world.

“Hundreds of community members have pledged to take direct-action to prevent the expansion of the coal industry.

“We are taking action today on behalf of our children, and for all those species that will be pushed to the extinction by climate change. It is unconscionable for the Government and the coal industry to continue profiting from accelerating greenhouse gas emissions in this way.”

Contact: (02) 4926 1641

Make a donation to Rising Tide

Further stories

Coal terminal blockage ended - SMH, 19 Nov 07
Australian coal train blocked from port - IndyMedia Germany, 19 Nov 07
Greenies blockade Newcastle coal train
Protester chained to railway line- Sun Herald, 19 Nov 07
Protestors block coal ships in Newcastle The Age, 19 Nov 07
Comment added by CoalPortal on 17 Nov 2011 and reposted here.