Can We Drink Coal?

Following revelations of extensive damage in the catchment area of Woronora Dam on ABC TV last night, Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon, has challenged Premier Morris Iemma to protect NSW water supplies with an immediate ban on further mining within 1km of rivers and creeks in all water catchment areas.

"Premier Iemma must now step in and immediately enforce a 1km mining buffer zone around all rivers and creeks that supply drinking water to the people of NSW," said Ms Rhiannon.

"The extent of damage to the Waratah Rivulet in the Woronora catchment area is alarming and warrants an immediate halt to longwall mining in this catchment until a 1km mining buffer zone can be enforced."

"The shocking images of severe river damage show why water catchment areas in Sydney, the Illawarra, the Hunter and the Central Coast need the protection of a 1km mining buffer zone."

"Premier Morris Iemma needs to place the future of our drinking water ahead of the profits of greedy mining companies."

"While we face a water crisis the NSW Government is letting mining companies expand their damaging practices instead of limiting the threat to our water catchments."

"The only reason that mining damages rivers is because mining companies get greedy and mine too close to rivers, creeks and dams."

"Both Labor and the Coalition parties are too compromised to stand up to these giant mining companies and make them put the public interest and the environment ahead of profit."

"Drinking water levels have never been so uncertain, yet the Government is allowing mining companies to continue a business as usual approach."

"The Government Inquiry into NSW Southern Coalfields announced earlier this month is toothless because new planning laws passed last year, with the support of the Coalition, mean that the Planning Minister can ignore the recommendations of this Inquiry."

"I understand the mining company that wrecked the Waratah Rivulet plans to expand its mining operations right underneath the Woronora dam next year. Under the new laws the Planning Minister could approve this mine expansion without any consultation."

"The Greens will make this water scandal a key election issue," said Ms Rhiannon.

NSW Greens Policies Published

The Greens NSW polices for the state election are now publicly available on their web site, Greens MP and lead Upper House candidate Lee Rhiannon said today.

Ms Rhiannon said: "After a wide-ranging process involving Greens members across NSW, we have finalised our polices, ready to start serious campaigning in early 2007.

"Our polices are comprehensive and put paid to the myth that we are only an environment party. With 53 separate policies, we cover the complete range of community concerns, from industrial relations, health, education and justice through to energy and climate change, forests and wilderness and water.

"We are proud of the policies and believe that they lay a framework for the campaign and beyond.

"They express our commitment to a state that responds to the challenges of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, providing quality public education, health and transport and securing the natural environment.

"We are leading the debate on ending corporate donations to political parties and reforming the laws that are allowing developers to run rough shod over communities.

"The democratic involvement of members in policy formulation differentiates the Greens from the major parties.

"Members discuss policies in their local groups, special issue based working groups and at state-wide party conferences.

"We are proud of the extensive involvement our members have in identifying and drafting policies.

"It is this comprehensive involvement of our members that gives our polices their leading edge," Ms Rhiannon said.


Greens NSW policies can be found at:

www.nsw.greens.org.au/policies/policies.php

Ian Lowe and Sustainable Energy

Last night I attended the Sustainable Energy Forum organised by Climate Action Newcastle and Newcastle University Students Association.

The forum was well attended, with many local environmentalists taking the opportunity to hear long term campaigner for the future, Professor Ian Lowe.

Some of the key points Professor Lowe raised in his presentation included

- there are many possible futures, and we shape the future by the choices we make
- we are very close to (if not already past) peak oil production - it is foolish to tie our transport futures to oil
- according to the Zwitskowski report into nuclear energy, 25 nuclear reactors would only reduce our greenhouse emissions by 18%
- 100% of our energy needs could come from a mix of renewable sources for a 50% increase in cost
- there are more jobs in renewable energy and increasing energy efficiency than there are in open-cut coal mining

Professor Lowe listed a number of policies he believes should be implemented if we are aiming for a sustainable future. These include

- phase out subsidies for fossil fuels
- no new coal fired power stations
- use of gas as a transistion fuel
- a commitment to a mix of renewable energy sources
- good urban planning which integrates public transport

The Greens locally, regionally and nationally will be working to implement policies such as these to ensure we do have a sustainable future.

Bob Brown Asks Questions of Peter Garrett

Greens Leader Bob Brown says he is looking forward to meeting with Labor's new environment spokesperson, Peter Garrett.

"As companions in the battle to stop environmental vandalism inAustralia over the last 3 decades, it is important we co-ordinate our powerful positions to rapidly move Australia to a world role model and leader in environmental policy and technology," Senator Brown said.

"The predominance of the coal and uranium mining industries in setting government policy, exemplified in yesterday's announcement of the PrimeMinister's emissions trading task force, has to end. Real scientific and business nous built on a determination to turn around climate change, species extinction and deforestation, has to come to the top in political decision making.

"I want to discuss with Peter the shape of an effective carbon tax, end to logging of forests, the enormous dangers which flow from uranium exports, and the huge business opportunities for Australia from environmental technology being rescued from its Howard-era relegation,"Senator Brown said.

"Will Peter be let off Labor's leash on coal and uranium mining? He must not acquiesce to being a Labor rubber stamp for policies which repudiate all his campaigning splendour," Senator Brown said.

Senator Brown has written to Peter Garrett recommending a meeting.

Energy For a Sustainable Future Forum

Climate Action Newcastle (CAN) and Newcastle University Students Association (NUSA) have organised a Public Forum on "Energy for a Sustainable Future' with Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe, AO as the guest speaker.

Ian Lowe is one of Australia's most eminent environmental scientists, and President of the Australian Conservation Foundation.

The Forum will be held on Monday, December 11th, at the University's Conservatorium, cnr Auckland and Laman Sts, Newcastle, 6.30pm for 7pm sharp.

Professor Lowe, will speak on "Energy for a Sustainable Future", and the urgent need to act now to avoid dangerous further changes to our climate. He will discuss how governments must make a commitment to energy alternatives that produce sustainable cost-effective reductions in greenhouse pollution: wind power, solar, energy efficiency, gas and energy from organic matter.

I hope the Newcastle community will once again show their commitment to the future by supporting this event - I'll see you there!

Greens Launch Climate Futures Bill

Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon was in Newcastle last week to launch the Greens Climate Futures Bill with Greens candidate Cr Michael Osborne.

The Bill is a challenge to Labor to take the urgent action necessary to address the climate change implications of the Hunter coal industry.

“Premier Morris Iemma says climate change is a key issue for his election campaign. But he is busy ignoring the major contribution that burning coal makes to climate change,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“The Premier cannot pretend to tackle climate change while overseeing the biggest expansion of the coal industry ever seen in NSW.

“The Greens bill would impose a moratorium on new coal projects. It directs the NSW government to provide a transition package of retraining and jobs for coal communities, and fast track the development of a renewable energy industry in NSW.

“The bill also raises the NSW mandatory renewable energy targets to at least 20% by 2012, and 50% by 2020.

“The Greens believe it is possible to have wins for the economy and the environment, while tackling climate change,” Ms Rhiannon said.

Greens candidate for Newcastle, Cr Michael Osborne, says new coal projects proposed for NSW will result in the emission of 136.56 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.

“This almost doubles NSW’s total emissions in 2004 of 158.7 million tonnes and creates a whole new state of coal,” Cr Osborne said.

“The Greens will continue our work to make coal a key election issue in the Hunter region.“The Stern Review put a social cost on every tonne of carbon of $85. Applying this formula, the new proposals alone would have a social cost of over $11.5 billion.

“Voters want real action on climate change, not just lip service to the problem while quietly supporting the continued march of the coal industry across NSW,” Cr Osborne said.