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65 Climate Groups Welcome Comments to Scrap New Coal Loading Facilities

65 Climate Action Groups representing thousands of people from across Australia have
welcomed Professor Newman’s comments on scrapping plans for new coal loading facilities.
Groups wholeheartedly agreed with Professor Newman’s comments regarding the
environmental damage arising from burning coal, and believe the $1billion worth of taxpayer
money set aside to expand coal loading facilities could be “better used to improve the national
electricity grid to enable the transition to a wider range of renewables.”
Governments from across the world are moving towards more renewables and are recognising
the benefits of early action in responding to climate change, with the US, EU and UK
proposing to reduce emissions by 20%, 20-30% and 26-32% respectively by 2020 (based on
1990 levels).
Climate Action Groups believe that Australia’s appalling low 4% target and ongoing over-
dependence on coal is completely out of step with climate science and the rest of the world.
“Global demand for coal will begin rapidly declining as the world starts taking action to
reduce global emissions and avoid dangerous climate change”, the letter said.
“While Australia’s existing coal loading facilities may not be keeping pace with demand at
present, these bottlenecks will undoubtedly begin to ease as global demand for coal falls”.
The Climate Action Groups, made up of mums and dads, professionals and laymen, people of
all ages and backgrounds, noted that “we are in the midst of one of the worst global economic
meltdowns we have ever seen” and that “every tax-payer dollar we spend is precious.”
Groups also noted that leading economists share similar views with Professor Newman and
referred to Lord Nicholas Stern’s recent comments that countries ‘that sink their treasure now
into a dirty coal infrastructure or high-carbon production methods are not only jeopardising
the health of the planet, they are jeopardising their own economic future.’ [Stern, March 09]
“Australia’s infrastructure investments should demonstrate a strong business case as well as a
strong environmental one”. “It is unlikely that expanding coal infrastructure in Australia
would meet either of those important requirements,” the letter said.
Climate Action Groups are calling for the Government to “assist coal-fired generators and
affected communities as part of a just and fair transition.” “All assistance given by the
Government to this sector should be conditional on an orderly and detailed phase-out plan”,
the letter said.
Groups highlighted that “the base-load power generation breakthroughs in solar-thermal and
geo-thermal technologies mean that 100% of Australia’s electricity can be provided by clean,
renewable energy.” This new mix would also include solar photovoltaic, wave, tidal, biomass
and wind power and would end Australia’s dependence on coal.
For more information contact: Tracey Tipping, Climate Action Pittwater, 0411 861 269.

The letter was also endorsed by 4 Conservation Councils:

1. Conservation Council ACT Region (incl. 120 Member Groups)
2. Conservation Council of Western Australia (incl. 95 Affiliate Groups)
3. Environment Tasmania Inc (incl. 26 Member Groups)
4. Nature Conservation Council of NSW (incl. 120 Member Groups)
5. Conservation Council of South Australia (incl. 50 Member Groups)
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The letter was also endorsed by 2 Faith Based Organisations:

1. Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (Australia), Justice and Peace Centre

2. Pax Christi Australia