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March 29, 2006
The Save Happy Valley crew do it again!
Today coal industry lobby group Coal Representatives Against Progressive Policy (CRAPP) protested against the 'Climate Change and Governance' conference, held at Te Papa.
With slogans such as 'Kyoto Schmyoto' and 'Save My Six-figure Salary', CRAPP claimed that seriously combating Climate Change would jeopardise the massive bonuses and perks they get for producing one of the world's most polluting sources of CO2 emissions.
"Although today's CRAPP protest is light-hearted street-theatre, climate change is a serious threat to New Zealanders and the environment", said Timothy Bailey, Wellington spokesperson for the Save Happy Valley Coalition.
"The Labour Government wishes to be seen 'tackling' climate change, yet is whole-heartedly encouraging state-owned coal miner Solid Energy to continue with unsustainable coal mining. Solid Energy plans to mine Happy Valley on the South Island's West Coast, which would produce 12 million of tonnes of carbon dioxide and destroy prime kiwi habitat", he said.
"CEOs on massive six-figure salaries, such as Solid Energy's Don Elder, are the only people who really benefit from coal mining. The rest of us are forced to suffer the consequences of environmental degradation and climate change caused by coal mining", said Mr Bailey.
"The five million tonnes of coal in Happy Valley would largely be exported to steel-making industries in Japan and China. The idea of mines in ecologically significant areas such as Happy Valley is totally abhorrent when the only benefit is a tiny addition to the government's multi-billion dollar surplus", said Mr Bailey.
"We call on the Labour Government to reign in Solid Energy and stop its planned Happy Valley mine in the interests of those who will suffer from climate change" he said.
/ENDS
Source: http://indymedia.org.nz/newswire/display/43065/index.php
Posted by nick at March 29, 2006 12:01 PM
Comments
Coal is a big issue in the debate about the climate change.
Since early 1915, more than 450,000 tons of coal and 90,000 tons of weaponry had been shipped to the Russian port Archangel. Russian and German navies had laid thousands of sea mines. Dozen of minesweepers were permanently in service. U-boats sank 25 ships in late 1916 and 21 vessels between April and November 1917.
Dozens of mine fields with thousands of mines were placed in the Eastern Baltic Sea. Many naval activities took place every day, for four years. British and Russian submarines operated successfully. The increase of sea icing during the war years (1914-1918) can be attributed to the naval warfare from the Baltic waters.
More on the issue and on the climate change because of human criminal action, at http://www.1ocean-1climate.com
Posted by: Alex M at November 16, 2006 9:17 PM
A fundamental issue worldwide has to be this consumer society that is using enormous amounts of materials like coal.
For example, for any Happy Valley coal used in steel production, one could ask what is fuelling the need for worldwide steel production? It is the demand for manufactured goods, new vehicles, buildings etc. etc. In recent years we NZers have been on a buying spree. Is this consumption sustainable in its current form? I doubt it!
Sooner or later we'll need to influence people going into stores to think about the raw materials like coal going into the products they buy. Governments are starting to pay attention, but IMHO they tend to be slow to take action, and action tends to be weak.
Perhaps Greenpeace should campaign at this consumer end, stand outside stores if necessary and shout sustainable purchasing from rooftops around the world, if it will help prevent a whole lot of other places in the world from turning into coal mines. Preventive action rather than reactive.
An interesting group in the US uses street theatre to emphasise sustainability in buying decisions. They have had a focus on Walmart, among other stores. The group is called the Church of Stop Shopping - see
http://www.revbilly.com/
.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 9, 2006 4:21 AM