Climate Change Special Report is compelling evidence against mine

The International Panel on Climate Change 2018 report.The International Panel on Climate Change 2018 report cover.

The Australian Coal Alliance has marked the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on the impact of global warming of 1.5 degrees, as more compelling evidence that the Wallarah II coal mine should not go ahead.

In terms of fossil fuels, the report found that coal use for electricity must be virtually eliminated by 2050, if the 1.5 degree limit is to be met. Founder of the Australian Coal Alliance (ACA), Alan Hayes, said: “The fact is that it is about time that we looked seriously at getting rid of fossil fuels. “The Federal Government, and particularly Environment Minister, Melissa Price, must take this IPCC report seriously,” Hayes said. “Refusing Wallarah II can be the beginning of doing something positive, because it has been shown that the mine would be a risk to the water catchment and would cause signifi cant subsidence and environmental damage,” he said.

“We cannot risk a temperature rise of more than 1.5 degrees, it is a matter of intergenerational equity, which is one of the arguments that ACA will be using in its Land and Environment Court case to stop the coal mine.” NSW Greens said the IPCC Special Report had “outlined a climate catastrophe of unprecedented scale and impact on our community and nature, if global warming is permitted to rise by more than 1.5 degrees.” The scientific consensus found: all coral reefs would be unlikely to survive global warming of 2 degrees, including the Great Barrier Reef; sea level rise would be about 10cm less at 1.5 degrees; and, an increased risk of long-lasting or irreversible changes at 2 degrees, including the loss of more species and ecosystems.

Greens Energy and Resources Spokesperson, Jeremy Buckingham, said: “The IPCC Special Report is a call to arms. “The coming decade is critical in the fi ght to protect the people we love and our planet from dangerous climate change,” Buckingham said. “That’s why the Greens’ policy is to phase out coal mining in NSW in the next 10 years. “The science of this report makes it clear that we cannot continue to burn coal and protect the climate. “The failure by the Federal Government to have a credible climate or energy policy means that NSW must implement its own climate and energy policies. “Victoria, Queensland, the ACT and South Australia all have credible climate and energy policies, while NSW has sat on its hands waiting for direction from the Federal Government.

“Meanwhile, Federal energy policy has descended into chaos and farce. “The next few years will be history defi ning. “This government and the next, can either fiddle while the climate heats beyond our control, or they can transform our community, economy and natural world by phasing out coal and powering our world by 100% renewable energy. “This transformation will bring with it great opportunities for new jobs and innovative technologies.

“Australia can transition away from being a quarry and lead the way on renewable innovation, exporting our science, know-how and clean solar power fuel to the world. “The task of phasing out fossil fuels is now critically urgent. “If the world had acted after the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the task would be easier, but political parties from both sides taking millions from fossil fuel donors, have squibbed it. “Climate and energy policy will be at the top of the March, 2019, state election. “When will the other parties take steps towards the serious levels of carbon emission cuts that we need, and admit that there is no future for coal or coal seam gas?” he said.

Source: Media release, Oct 9 Jane Garcia, office of Jeremy Buckingham Interview, Oct 15 Alan Hayes, Australian Coal Alliance Jackie Pearson, journalist