Australia’s inaction on climate is burning our future
Extinction Rebellion Australia, 29 Jan 2022
XR rebels took over a busy city intersection in Hobart, Tasmania with a theatrical show of a burning bed.
The action drew attention to our politicians’ refusal to act now on climate change. Safety measures and a fire plan were in place in place to support the safe burning of the bed.
It coincided with the visit of the band Midnight Oil to Hobart, and reminded onlookers of Don't Look Up, a film about the impending climate crisis. With the national elections looming, the time is now to vote for CLIMATE ACTION, and vote out the leaders who listen to polluting corporations instead of the people. We need leaders who tell the truth about climate change and its impacts.
XR Rebels who took part in the action spoke about the need for urgent action.
Jackie McDonald, Disability Support Worker:
“Global heating is the most urgent crisis in human history that will affect all of humanity and the natural world and yet it is barely on radar for most people. We demand that the government and the mainstream media start informing the public about the role fossil fuels and deforestation plays in driving climate collapse and the dire effects this will have on our children’s future.”
Lillian Brinken, 34 year old mother of two:
“We demand an urgent and just transition for workers away from industries such as coal, gas and deforestation.”
Cleo Dudgeon, a 2O year old hospitality worker:
“We have run out of options and sadly nonviolent civil disobedience is the only way to raise the alarm on the dire impacts that climate change will have on the future of the young people of today.
“Instead of getting mad at us, think about why we are resorting to doing this and get mad at the government for choosing profit over a liveable planet for my generation.”
Joe Collings-Hall, a 25 year old social research analyst:
“Blocking roads is not something we take lightly and is a last and desperate resort to raise the alarm on the effects coal, oil and gas are having on the planet and the future survival of the children of today.
“Lobbying, letter writing and permitted marches have achieved nothing over the last 30 years except for a gradual rise in temperature and the issue being completely denied or ignored.
“Instead of getting angry about a theatrical and safe bed fire, consider how many peoples beds have and will be burned as a result of the increasing incidence of bush fires that climate change will bring. We encourage people to get angry about that rather than at those of us who are trying to raise the alarm in whatever desperate way we can. It's time to look up.”
We need leaders who tell the truth about climate change and its impacts.
The truth is that:
● The impacts of climate change for Australians will be dire. The impacts include more frequent and extreme bush fires, more floods, extreme heat events, storms and droughts. Many houses will become uninsurable, crops will fail, jobs will be lost and the most vulnerable Australians will not be able to move away from dangerous locations.
● Our emissions are not dropping enough to meet the Government’s current target of net zero emissions by 2050 to prevent catastrophic climate change. Based on the current plans, emissions would drop by 30-38% by 2030 which sets us on a path of 3C if all countries did the same. We need to stay under 1.5C to ensure a safe future for our children and all of life on earth.
● Fossil fuel subsidies cost Australians a staggering $10.3 billion in the FY 2020-21, that is $19,686 per minute. These subsidies make flying cheaper, enable more vehicles to run on diesel and burn more coal for electricity generation leading to excessive emissions but importantly, they prevent us from choosing lower emissions options (train, electric and green hydro).
● The majority of Australian voters want more action on climate change and want to avoid our children having to face the catastrophic impacts of global heating. Three in four (75%) Australians are concerned about climate change and seven in ten Australians (69%) think Australia should commit to help limit global warming to 1.5-2°C and achieve net zero emissions. The Government is not listening to the Australian people.
● Our political parties continue to receive large donations from the fossil fuel industries, and they are not telling the voters this. In 2018-19, fossil fuel companies donated at least $1,897,379 to the ALP, Liberal and National parties (MarketForces). This was up by 48% compared to 2017-18. The actual number is likely much higher due to the high level of donations from untraceable sources (30-40% of all donations according to the Grattan Institute).
● The economic damage of doing nothing on climate change by far outweighs the costs of transitioning to a low emissions economy. If climate change goes unchecked, then Australia’s economy will be 6% smaller and have 880,000 fewer jobs by 2070. Achieving net zero by 2050, consistent with keeping global warming to 1.5C, could grow the economy by 2.6% in 2070, adding more than 250,000 jobs (Deloitte, 2021).
To avoid a catastrophic future for our children and life on earth in general, a strong emissions reduction target of 65-75% below 2005 levels by 2030 needs to be set. This is higher than any of the major parties is willing to commit to. This means we leave all the coal in the ground.
We need leaders to be on the side of the Australian people and they need to end subsidies for fossil fuels now, or at least provide the renewables industry equal support. At the same time, politicians can no longer accept donations from the fossil fuel industry.
A just transition of the economy should focus on retraining workers so they can transition to new industries. Germany has shown this is possible. They closed all brown coals mines in 2018, without losing a single job. The world is already locked into many climate impacts, even if we achieve net zero emissions now. Our leaders need to protect Australians, our flora and fauna, from the increase in bushfires, storms, droughts, floods and extreme heat events that we will experience as our climate changes.
Last but not least, our leaders need to tell the truth and educate the people, to empower our young people, so we can all take action.