Australian environmentalists block Adani coalmining site for four hours

By Our Representative
Around 30 environmentalists on Wednesday block access to Indian tycoon Adani's Carmichael coalmine site in Australia, disrupting work for four in the morning. The group blocked the gates of Adani workers’ camp, stopping workers from entering the proposed mine site. The group declared that with Prime Minister Scott Morrison set to "snub" the United Nations Climate Action Summit next week, there is an urgent need to take action and stop the construction of new coal mines.
Orien Humennyj-Jameson, a 29 year old musician and biology teacher from Melbourne, said “People are coming to the realisation that we can’t rely on politicians to take the necessary action in the face of climate emergency. To create meaningful change is possible, but it will require us to inconvenience our own lives and take actions like this.”
Kylie Riha-Jones, a 52 year old health worker and mother of two from Melbourne, said, “I work in a hospital with elderly people, and my mother lives in a town which last summer had a 16 day heatwave. The health effects of climate change will take a massive toll on humans and other animals. The Australian Medical Association have declared a climate emergency, and yet Australia is opening up one of the world’s biggest coal reserves.”

Jasmyn Sheppard, a 33 year old First Nations community organiser based in Meanjin (Brisbane), said, “The Queensland government talking about sustainability and treaty while giving the green light to Adani’s mine is hypocritical. I’ve been part of community groups and of lobbying the political system but it’s not enough. To continue the pressure means going to the frontline and stopping destructive projects like Adani’s mine.”
Miriam Gambin, a 25 year old reforestation worker from Lismore, said, “I’m not an extremist. Our economy and jobs could grow from creating and embracing new sustainable practices. I believe Australia is in a key position to lead the world towards a renewable future. We have to take actions like this now so we can have a future where our children can thrive.”
Next week government, business and civil society leaders will converge in New York to address the global climate emergency. Scott Morrison has said he won’t attend, even though he will be in the US for diplomatic talks next week. People across Australia and the world will this Friday be leaving their workplaces as part of a global climate strike.

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