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Showing posts with label coal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coal. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Dirty Kev Campaign
The whole idea of the campaign is to apply a bit of peer-group pressure on K-Rudd so that he chooses the interests of people over those of already uber-wealthy coporate executives.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
I wish I was Scottish.
In countries with a much lesser climate impact than dear old Terra Australis, the media and general public are getting behind civil disobedience as a legitimate and necessary way to pressure government's into taking meaningful action on climate change.
Take for example excerpts from the Sunday Herald journalist Edd McCracken's coverage on recent civil disobedience as part of the Scottish climate camp. A conveyor belt near the Glentaggart opencast mine responsible for transporting hundreds of tonnes of coal to the Ravenstruther rail depot daily - was cut:
""If the government wants a strong Climate Change Bill, then we are just
helping them enforce it," says camp spokesman and seasoned activist Dan
Glass. "We're the law enforcers, doing it on the ground. If they say they
want a strong Climate Change Bill, great, we'll help them do it.""
Earlier this year, Scottish Coal was given permission to mine 1.7 million
tonnes of coal on land belonging to Lord Home, where the camp is situated.
The opencast mine would come within 1000m of the local hospital.
Some 650 objections to the proposals were received, but the project was
still given the go-ahead. Locals have long blamed the three existing
opencast mines, including Glentaggart, for the area's above-average rates of
cancer and asthma.
One local councillor says that, while he supported the camp, he had "no time
to sit in a field for a week. I've had three funerals to go to." All three
people had died of a disease he claims was related to the coal mine.
It's an excellent article: http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2524596.0.0.php
Particularly in the UK climate camp has achieved significant status, positive press coverage and attracted a greater diversity people waving the flag for legitimate climate action that serves people - not industry, not businessmen, and not politicians but real people.
And this is why we need climate camp in Australia. It's not about a bunch of dread-locked, ill-informed trouble-makers without jobs sitting around thinking of ways to 'fuck shit-up'. Climate camp is perhaps the only chance that you're ever going to get to learn about what's going-on without the filters of greed and fear. Be a part of community and actually stop greenhouse gas emissions.
No amount of carbon offsetting, green star ratings of photo opps compares to stopping greenhouse gas emission from being release into the air, protect our drinking water supply from being taken from us by multinational companies or leave our kids a decent inheritance.
I wish a lot of people would pull their heads out of their arses, show a bit of courage and actually 'do' something (opposed to dosomething.org) to change the ridiculous economic, social and governmental circumstances that do little more than hurt people.
climatecamp.org.au - consider yourself invited.
Take for example excerpts from the Sunday Herald journalist Edd McCracken's coverage on recent civil disobedience as part of the Scottish climate camp. A conveyor belt near the Glentaggart opencast mine responsible for transporting hundreds of tonnes of coal to the Ravenstruther rail depot daily - was cut:
""If the government wants a strong Climate Change Bill, then we are just
helping them enforce it," says camp spokesman and seasoned activist Dan
Glass. "We're the law enforcers, doing it on the ground. If they say they
want a strong Climate Change Bill, great, we'll help them do it.""
Earlier this year, Scottish Coal was given permission to mine 1.7 million
tonnes of coal on land belonging to Lord Home, where the camp is situated.
The opencast mine would come within 1000m of the local hospital.
Some 650 objections to the proposals were received, but the project was
still given the go-ahead. Locals have long blamed the three existing
opencast mines, including Glentaggart, for the area's above-average rates of
cancer and asthma.
One local councillor says that, while he supported the camp, he had "no time
to sit in a field for a week. I've had three funerals to go to." All three
people had died of a disease he claims was related to the coal mine.
It's an excellent article: http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2524596.0.0.php
Particularly in the UK climate camp has achieved significant status, positive press coverage and attracted a greater diversity people waving the flag for legitimate climate action that serves people - not industry, not businessmen, and not politicians but real people.
And this is why we need climate camp in Australia. It's not about a bunch of dread-locked, ill-informed trouble-makers without jobs sitting around thinking of ways to 'fuck shit-up'. Climate camp is perhaps the only chance that you're ever going to get to learn about what's going-on without the filters of greed and fear. Be a part of community and actually stop greenhouse gas emissions.
No amount of carbon offsetting, green star ratings of photo opps compares to stopping greenhouse gas emission from being release into the air, protect our drinking water supply from being taken from us by multinational companies or leave our kids a decent inheritance.
I wish a lot of people would pull their heads out of their arses, show a bit of courage and actually 'do' something (opposed to dosomething.org) to change the ridiculous economic, social and governmental circumstances that do little more than hurt people.
climatecamp.org.au - consider yourself invited.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Government using international 'Eco-terror' threat to push through draconian laws to silence grassroots protesters.
Only days after releasing a government paper calling for harsher and tighter penalties being applied to activists disrupting coal-fired power stations, the Government is using the threat of violence by a largely unknown and widely condemned group to garner support for the tough new laws.
It smells very, very Howardishy.
This is typical of Martin Ferguson and the Rudd Government whose tactics are smelling more and like Tampa-style fear mongering each day. The timing of the so-called 'ELF letter' is a little too convenient to be true and has played perfectly into the hands of business and government interests who would undoubtedly benefit from support of harsh penalties which would see peaceful protesters come down-upon like a tonne of bricks.
This 'I'll scratch-your-back' protection of business interests flies in the face for the public’s call for action on climate change and Rudd's promises of transparency in government. The legislation threatens to impinge upon the rights of people to legitimately express their frustration with the government’s incessant subservience to coal companies.
And could it be that direct action in Australia is actually working? Rather than getting on with the job and providing real climate change solutions, government seems more interested in doing the job of private security firms and locking-up activists on behalf of their buddies. This only proves that the government have no real solution for getting us off coal, and will continue to line their pockets with dirty corporate dollars. All the more reason to continue practicing Non-Violent-Direct -Action.
As we saw from last year's blackouts that left most Victorians in the dark (will the new energy disruption laws apply to government as well?!), power companies are struggling to supply baseload energy as it is - talk of climate change solutions in Australi is pure rhetoric the emissions keep rising. .
Non-violent direct action is a legitimate way that everyday Australians can demand action. Far from Elves or radical student groups a growing number of 'activists' are, concerned Mums, Dads, Granparents, former coal miners and unionists tired of being ignored and let down. Normal people don’t have the privilege or power to play political games and make convenient laws - we certainly don't have political or economic agendas, we're fed-up and no-one seems to be listening.
The Government is attempting to paint those brave enough to speak out for climate justice, green jobs and a just transition to a low carbon economy in a non-violent way as ‘eco-terrorists’ as a way to rush in laws that protect their mates. Effectively the government are sacrificing our democratic rights for a regime run by polluting business, for polluting business.
We won’t tolerate or be intimidated by the Government, who rather than ‘cracking-down’ on greenhouse gas emissions, is giving polluters $12billion worth of permits to further infect the air we breathe. It is ludicrous that the law be manipulated into taking a hard line on communities whose right and responsibility it is to protest against recklessness and greed.
Grass roots climate groups like Friends of the Earth Sydney will continue to help communities organise and have their voices heard. Dozens of groups around Australia are, and will continue to peacefully protest using their bodies at power stations, aluminium smelters, coal mines to send a clear message – we are fed-up with a government that represents the dollars of the few and ignores the rights of many. This is why we will be playing a major role in the organising The Camp for Climate Action in Helensburgh.
The Camp for Climate Action will culminate in a peaceful direct action on Sunday October 11th. In the spirit of the great global history of civil disobedience (Gandhi’s salt march, the American civil rights movement, the protection of Tasmania’s Franklin River), the Climate Camp is a chance, at this crucial moment in history, for ordinary people to stand up for a safe climate and keep fossil fuels in the ground.
www.climatecamp.org.au
http://www.theage.com.au/national/ecoterror-threat-sparks-law-review-20090615-carn.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25642578-5013404,00.html
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/greenpeace-slams-threat-to-power-station-boss-20090615-c836.html
It smells very, very Howardishy.
This is typical of Martin Ferguson and the Rudd Government whose tactics are smelling more and like Tampa-style fear mongering each day. The timing of the so-called 'ELF letter' is a little too convenient to be true and has played perfectly into the hands of business and government interests who would undoubtedly benefit from support of harsh penalties which would see peaceful protesters come down-upon like a tonne of bricks.
This 'I'll scratch-your-back' protection of business interests flies in the face for the public’s call for action on climate change and Rudd's promises of transparency in government. The legislation threatens to impinge upon the rights of people to legitimately express their frustration with the government’s incessant subservience to coal companies.
And could it be that direct action in Australia is actually working? Rather than getting on with the job and providing real climate change solutions, government seems more interested in doing the job of private security firms and locking-up activists on behalf of their buddies. This only proves that the government have no real solution for getting us off coal, and will continue to line their pockets with dirty corporate dollars. All the more reason to continue practicing Non-Violent-Direct -Action.
As we saw from last year's blackouts that left most Victorians in the dark (will the new energy disruption laws apply to government as well?!), power companies are struggling to supply baseload energy as it is - talk of climate change solutions in Australi is pure rhetoric the emissions keep rising. .
Non-violent direct action is a legitimate way that everyday Australians can demand action. Far from Elves or radical student groups a growing number of 'activists' are, concerned Mums, Dads, Granparents, former coal miners and unionists tired of being ignored and let down. Normal people don’t have the privilege or power to play political games and make convenient laws - we certainly don't have political or economic agendas, we're fed-up and no-one seems to be listening.
The Government is attempting to paint those brave enough to speak out for climate justice, green jobs and a just transition to a low carbon economy in a non-violent way as ‘eco-terrorists’ as a way to rush in laws that protect their mates. Effectively the government are sacrificing our democratic rights for a regime run by polluting business, for polluting business.
We won’t tolerate or be intimidated by the Government, who rather than ‘cracking-down’ on greenhouse gas emissions, is giving polluters $12billion worth of permits to further infect the air we breathe. It is ludicrous that the law be manipulated into taking a hard line on communities whose right and responsibility it is to protest against recklessness and greed.
Grass roots climate groups like Friends of the Earth Sydney will continue to help communities organise and have their voices heard. Dozens of groups around Australia are, and will continue to peacefully protest using their bodies at power stations, aluminium smelters, coal mines to send a clear message – we are fed-up with a government that represents the dollars of the few and ignores the rights of many. This is why we will be playing a major role in the organising The Camp for Climate Action in Helensburgh.
The Camp for Climate Action will culminate in a peaceful direct action on Sunday October 11th. In the spirit of the great global history of civil disobedience (Gandhi’s salt march, the American civil rights movement, the protection of Tasmania’s Franklin River), the Climate Camp is a chance, at this crucial moment in history, for ordinary people to stand up for a safe climate and keep fossil fuels in the ground.
www.climatecamp.org.au
http://www.theage.com.au/
http://www.theaustralian.news.
http://www.smh.com.au/
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Introducing Nikki Williams, NSW Mining CEO and "incredibly passionate environmentalist"
Like in Australia, the US the coal industry go to some pretty extreme lengths to to make themselves seem like 'good, nice, safe and friendly people'.
The latest from the US Blog www.thisisreality.org say that the US Coal Lobby have just undertaken an $20 million online media blitz for “shaping public attitudes on coal”. In Washington, for every pro-environment lobbyist there are 5 working for coal companies.
Undoubtedly, this kind of money means more spruiking of 'clean coal', which as a climate change response is just as true as someone telling you that brushing your teeth with fairy floss will mean less trips to the dentist or that camel-toes in women's pants are flattering.
So why does the coal lobby spend so much money trying to convince us that coal is clean (it isn't), jobs will be lost if we transition to renewable energy (they won't) or that going to Copenhagen with a 5% emissions reduction target is 'responsible' (ummmm...nup!)?
This behaviour can be explained by greed and the risk of large corporate profits being scaled-back and divided-up. There is much rhetoric about a 'buffet' of solutions to our climate problem, but fundamentally this means divvying up coal profits into smaller chunks and sharing the profit pie. It also explains while Carbon Capture and Storage is being flogged as a 'solution' as it keeps money in the hands of vested coal interests.
So how to protect your greedy interests and get away with it?
There's no better magic wand that PR. The Coal Lobby's vested interests are protected by a glossy veneer produced by multi-billion dollar PR and Marketing campaigns, the objective being to wolvishly dress bad intentions in sheep's clothing for the explicit purpose of ensuring that profits are protected and no-one looses their million-dollar home in Rose Bay.
I have reproduced excerpts below from a PR company representing NSW Mining - what gall! The PR company suggested that a green publication use “passionate environmentalist” and NSW Mining CEO Nikki Willams as a spokesperson for a future story on the environment, this raises a few questions:
PR People: “NSW Mining is one of the most profitable Australian industries. Contributing more than $2 billion annually in taxes and royalties, NSW generates about 250,000 direct and indirect jobs in NSW.”
So you can afford a just transition to renewable energy and green jobs? Why then are you asking for tax-payer handouts under the CPRS and a 5% emissions reduction target?
PR People: “If you are working on any environmental/mining stories and would like some expert input, NSW Mining CEO Nikki Williams is wonderful spokesperson and an incredibly passionate environmentalist.”
Obviously – I've seen her at the local coop, a couple of protests and riding her bike to work (not).
PR People: “...To give you a little background on her, 49 year old Nikki is a senior marketing and business development manager who has worked the African, Asian and European geographies with Shell and Exxon operating in the coal, oil, gas and chemical industries.”
She is obviously very good at selling coal. And what an outstanding environmental track-record Nikki, might I nominate you for a Banksia Award?
And it gets better:
“She (Nikki) has been CEO of the Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association; Business Development Director for the UK based QP Group; GM Marketing and Business Development for corProcure; Director Public Affairs for the World Coal Institute; Regional Supply Manager for Shell Coal International – trading 13 mt of coal from China, South Africa, Australia, Russia and Eastern Europe; Business Development Manager (Sub-Saharan Africa) for Shell Gas International; and Industrial Relations Officer with Esso Australia.”
Has anyone ever told Nikki that burning coal is a major contributor to climate change. Obviously, part of the solution Nikki, 13 megatonnes traden - you little ripper!
Don't call us Nikki, we'll call you.
If you see any other PR releases trying to sell the coal industry spokespeople as 'environmentalists' I would be very interested to see them.
The latest from the US Blog www.thisisreality.org say that the US Coal Lobby have just undertaken an $20 million online media blitz for “shaping public attitudes on coal”. In Washington, for every pro-environment lobbyist there are 5 working for coal companies.
Undoubtedly, this kind of money means more spruiking of 'clean coal', which as a climate change response is just as true as someone telling you that brushing your teeth with fairy floss will mean less trips to the dentist or that camel-toes in women's pants are flattering.
So why does the coal lobby spend so much money trying to convince us that coal is clean (it isn't), jobs will be lost if we transition to renewable energy (they won't) or that going to Copenhagen with a 5% emissions reduction target is 'responsible' (ummmm...nup!)?
This behaviour can be explained by greed and the risk of large corporate profits being scaled-back and divided-up. There is much rhetoric about a 'buffet' of solutions to our climate problem, but fundamentally this means divvying up coal profits into smaller chunks and sharing the profit pie. It also explains while Carbon Capture and Storage is being flogged as a 'solution' as it keeps money in the hands of vested coal interests.
So how to protect your greedy interests and get away with it?
There's no better magic wand that PR. The Coal Lobby's vested interests are protected by a glossy veneer produced by multi-billion dollar PR and Marketing campaigns, the objective being to wolvishly dress bad intentions in sheep's clothing for the explicit purpose of ensuring that profits are protected and no-one looses their million-dollar home in Rose Bay.
I have reproduced excerpts below from a PR company representing NSW Mining - what gall! The PR company suggested that a green publication use “passionate environmentalist” and NSW Mining CEO Nikki Willams as a spokesperson for a future story on the environment, this raises a few questions:
PR People: “NSW Mining is one of the most profitable Australian industries. Contributing more than $2 billion annually in taxes and royalties, NSW generates about 250,000 direct and indirect jobs in NSW.”
So you can afford a just transition to renewable energy and green jobs? Why then are you asking for tax-payer handouts under the CPRS and a 5% emissions reduction target?
PR People: “If you are working on any environmental/mining stories and would like some expert input, NSW Mining CEO Nikki Williams is wonderful spokesperson and an incredibly passionate environmentalist.”
Obviously – I've seen her at the local coop, a couple of protests and riding her bike to work (not).
PR People: “...To give you a little background on her, 49 year old Nikki is a senior marketing and business development manager who has worked the African, Asian and European geographies with Shell and Exxon operating in the coal, oil, gas and chemical industries.”
She is obviously very good at selling coal. And what an outstanding environmental track-record Nikki, might I nominate you for a Banksia Award?
And it gets better:
“She (Nikki) has been CEO of the Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association; Business Development Director for the UK based QP Group; GM Marketing and Business Development for corProcure; Director Public Affairs for the World Coal Institute; Regional Supply Manager for Shell Coal International – trading 13 mt of coal from China, South Africa, Australia, Russia and Eastern Europe; Business Development Manager (Sub-Saharan Africa) for Shell Gas International; and Industrial Relations Officer with Esso Australia.”
Has anyone ever told Nikki that burning coal is a major contributor to climate change. Obviously, part of the solution Nikki, 13 megatonnes traden - you little ripper!
Don't call us Nikki, we'll call you.
If you see any other PR releases trying to sell the coal industry spokespeople as 'environmentalists' I would be very interested to see them.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Enviroporn - Fuck for Forest...Come against Coal?
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