A call for real climate action
Locals gathered in Yeppoon on the weekend as part of Move Beyond Coal’s national week of action. Our Yeppoon event was one of more than 30 events across Australia to coincide with representatives of the Albanese Government taking part in the COP28 global climate talks in Dubai.
The Labor Government was elected in a historic wave of support for climate action. While the Albanese government has brought some better rhetoric and some progress on domestic emissions, it has fundamentally failed in the number one test of climate leadership: saying no to new coal and gas projects.
The world’s scientists and the International Energy Agency have said that keeping global heating below safer levels means there can be no new coal at all. But since coming to power the Albanese Government has approved four new coal mines, given millions to the gas industry, and is processing dozens more projects. Every new coal and gas mine adds more fuel to the climate crisis.
Despite pressure from our Pacific neighbours for Australia to join them in building a Fossil Free Pacific and oppose coal and gas, the Albanese Government used greenwash and political spin to help the fossil fuel industry expand.
It is also a time when Australia is bidding to host the COP31 climate conference, a responsibility which requires building and showcasing a modern version of Australia without fossil fuels and embracing clean energy and exports.
Over 20 people gathered in Merv Anderson Park, Yeppoon, to demonstrate that communities everywhere want the Australian Government to deliver the climate leadership desperately needed to protect our lives, livelihoods and ecosystems.
There were fun photos with Douglas the Dugong and Koko the Koala – just two of our local species at serious threat from climate change impacts and some heartfelt words from locals calling for climate action for a safe environment for us and the next generations.
The Move Beyond Coal movement is calling on the Albanese Government to rule out new coal and gas projects, deliver an historic investment in climate solutions, take steps to ensure Australia beats its target of 43% emissions cut by 2030, and actively supports the Port Vila call for a Just Transition to a Fossil Free Pacific.
Dr Coral Rowston, Director of Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland said, “Mining and burning coal and gas is the number one cause of global heating. It’s driving more intense and frequent extreme weather events like deadly heat waves, catastrophic bushfires, floods and droughts.
“Here in Central Queensland, even before summer has arrived, we’ve had record high temperatures and many destructive bushfires. Our communities are bracing for a summer of extraordinary heat and extreme bushfire risk, because our politicians keep supporting more coal and gas.
“We all want our communities and the natural world to survive and thrive for generations to come. Every fraction of a degree of warming matters. The coal we keep in the ground today will protect lives, livelihoods and nature for generations to come.
“Australians voted for climate action at the last election, and the vast majority want no new coal and gas mines. It’s time for Labor to live up to its promise of climate action and say no to new coal and gas.”
Sophie George, Coordinator of Capricorn Conservation Council said, “It is already getting to hot and we have to turn off the emissions that are only making it hotter.
“It’s not just the people that will suffer this summer. The chances of more bleaching events on the Great Barrier are high, and our wildlife will also be doing it tough through heatwaves and fires.
“One of the easiest ways to reduce Australia’s emissions is to not approve any new coal and gas projects along with the other policies implemented or proposed by government.
“Today’s event has shown that many care about our environment and our climate. The climate discussions happening in Dubai at the moment is the perfect opportunity to show the world that Australia is serious about climate change.
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