GreenBean
04-04-2009, 01:24 AM
This article from the Perth Indymedia site is interesting.
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=143217
Does anyone know of any activist groups or protest actions centred around this issue? Is anyone doing anything to stop it, and where can I sign up?
"Newman: Scrap coal expansion now
by Elliot K - Perth Indymedia 2009-04-01 12:15 PM +0800
April 1, 2009 - Curtin University's Professor Peter Newman, a member of Infrastructure Australia, says the environmental damage from burning coal meant the construction of new coal loading facilities in Newcastle, the world's biggest coal exporting port, should be stopped now...
Professor Newman, a leading environmental scientist, activist and educator based in Perth, also dismissed the Federal Government's $500 million commitment into researching "Clean Coal" technology, arguing there was little prospect the technology to capture and store carbon emissions (CCS) would be developed sufficiently to make coal-fired power stations environmentally acceptable.
The most authoritative study "The Future of Coal", published last year by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, concluded that the first commercial CCS plant wouldn't come on stream until 2030 at the earliest.
Coal emits more carbon dioxide for every unit of energy generated than any other fuel.
Despite the dubious and controversial notion of "Clean Coal" technology as a key pillar of the environment policies of Commonwealth and state governments, Prof Newman says, "I don't think the science on that is anywhere near that happening," he told corporate media. "In the US it's already disappearing... it's going to disappear along with nuclear fission."
To boost coal exports, the government last year announced a $1.2 billion corporate alliance with to expand six rail projects in order to help Newcastle to double its coal exports within seven years.
Professor Newman predicted that while the coal industry would still be around in a decade, "there will be a painful transition" and "coal will be a declining export for Australia".
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon called on the government to accept Professor Newman's advice that it is time to develop a transition program from the coal industry to renewable energy. "The coal industry should not be given massive subsidises... and for the money to be put into restructuring the energy and manufacturing industries and job retraining."
Professor Newman’s comments echoes that of NASA scientist and leading climate change expert Dr James Hansen who warns that the only way to mitigate climate change is to halt plans to build new coal-fired power stations, and to phase out coal. Dr Hansen says climate is at "a great tipping point, a planetary emergency" - with fossil fuels as the main driver of climate change.
"There should be no further funding for coal related infrastructure and the expansion of rail and port facilities in Port Newcastle designed to boost coal exports should be scrapped," Lee Rhiannon said.
"Nikki Williams, CEO of the NSW Minerals Council chose to put the boot into Professor Newman's credibility rather than listen to his advice. Funding must support retraining to skill workers in green sustainable jobs as the energy and manufacturing industries are restructured."
"Both the government and Minerals Council like to talk about climate change and jobs, but at the end of the day their allegiance lies with the coal industry. Neither will face up to the real challenges posed by climate change. Professor Newman is one of the few members of the Infrastructure Australia board willing to put climate change centre stage when it comes to exploring how best to spend the $20 billion Building Australia Fund."
http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=143217
Does anyone know of any activist groups or protest actions centred around this issue? Is anyone doing anything to stop it, and where can I sign up?
"Newman: Scrap coal expansion now
by Elliot K - Perth Indymedia 2009-04-01 12:15 PM +0800
April 1, 2009 - Curtin University's Professor Peter Newman, a member of Infrastructure Australia, says the environmental damage from burning coal meant the construction of new coal loading facilities in Newcastle, the world's biggest coal exporting port, should be stopped now...
Professor Newman, a leading environmental scientist, activist and educator based in Perth, also dismissed the Federal Government's $500 million commitment into researching "Clean Coal" technology, arguing there was little prospect the technology to capture and store carbon emissions (CCS) would be developed sufficiently to make coal-fired power stations environmentally acceptable.
The most authoritative study "The Future of Coal", published last year by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, concluded that the first commercial CCS plant wouldn't come on stream until 2030 at the earliest.
Coal emits more carbon dioxide for every unit of energy generated than any other fuel.
Despite the dubious and controversial notion of "Clean Coal" technology as a key pillar of the environment policies of Commonwealth and state governments, Prof Newman says, "I don't think the science on that is anywhere near that happening," he told corporate media. "In the US it's already disappearing... it's going to disappear along with nuclear fission."
To boost coal exports, the government last year announced a $1.2 billion corporate alliance with to expand six rail projects in order to help Newcastle to double its coal exports within seven years.
Professor Newman predicted that while the coal industry would still be around in a decade, "there will be a painful transition" and "coal will be a declining export for Australia".
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon called on the government to accept Professor Newman's advice that it is time to develop a transition program from the coal industry to renewable energy. "The coal industry should not be given massive subsidises... and for the money to be put into restructuring the energy and manufacturing industries and job retraining."
Professor Newman’s comments echoes that of NASA scientist and leading climate change expert Dr James Hansen who warns that the only way to mitigate climate change is to halt plans to build new coal-fired power stations, and to phase out coal. Dr Hansen says climate is at "a great tipping point, a planetary emergency" - with fossil fuels as the main driver of climate change.
"There should be no further funding for coal related infrastructure and the expansion of rail and port facilities in Port Newcastle designed to boost coal exports should be scrapped," Lee Rhiannon said.
"Nikki Williams, CEO of the NSW Minerals Council chose to put the boot into Professor Newman's credibility rather than listen to his advice. Funding must support retraining to skill workers in green sustainable jobs as the energy and manufacturing industries are restructured."
"Both the government and Minerals Council like to talk about climate change and jobs, but at the end of the day their allegiance lies with the coal industry. Neither will face up to the real challenges posed by climate change. Professor Newman is one of the few members of the Infrastructure Australia board willing to put climate change centre stage when it comes to exploring how best to spend the $20 billion Building Australia Fund."