CLIMATE CHANGE 11
TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2023
Bushfire survivors take fossil fuel fight to court
OUTSIDE THE COURT: Bushfire Survivors For Climate Action press conference and case launch 15 February 2023. Pic by Cassandra Hannagan. Bushfire survivors took their fight against climate change to the courts last week, arguing that approving new fossil fuel projects and expansions was unreasonable given what was known about the threat of climate change and climate impacts already experienced. Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action (BSCA) appealed an Independent Planning Commission (IPC) decision to approve a Whitehaven application to expand its Narrabri coal mine in the NSW Land and Environment Court. The approval would extend the life of the mine from 2031 to 2044 and allow some
of the longest (10km) and widest (400m) underground longwalls in Australia. In approving the extension, the IPC agreed that the project was a “gassy mine” but relied upon the hope of future, uncertain technology to reduce methane levels. BSCA spokesperson Fiona Lee, who lost her home to a bushfire in 2019, said the IPC’s approval of the coal mine showed planning decisions had not kept up with community expectations, and the need to take immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “Continuing to allow coal mines to
expand – especially highly polluting ones – has a direct impact on Australians’ safety and security,” Ms Lee said. “The burning of coal, gas and oil worsens the impacts of climate change, and we are already seeing bushfires and other extreme weather increase in frequency and intensity because of climate change. “We know that the future of coal is limited. “Now is the time to support our rural communities to transition away from coal and focus on building sustainable, prosperous alternatives. “Approving new mines is adding to the problem and making the
ON COUNTRY: Jo Dodds (President of BSCA) and Fiona Lee from BSCA visit to Whitehaven’s Narrabri coal mine, January 2023. Pic supplied.
solution and emissions reduction targets even harder to achieve.” BSCA argued it was legally unreasonable for the NSW government to approve this super polluting mine, and unreasonable to find that the mine is in the public interest. “How can the continuation of jobs in a doomed sector and the private profits enjoyed by only a few outweigh the extreme costs of climate change to the lives of every person in NSW, now and in the future?” Ms Lee said. “Bushfire survivors, including my family, know first-hand the impacts of climate change. “We want to
Indigenous Knowledge essential M Continued from P10 “This global recognition will allow Indigenous women rangers to expand the possibilities for conservation work everywhere. “As I often say – there is much to be gained when we respect and integrate Indigenous Knowledge into our collaborative conservation initiatives. “Many of the challenges we face today – a warming planet, the loss of habitat and wildlife, dying coral reefs – these could have been lessened or completely avoided -- if early colonists had valued the stewardship practices and environmental wisdom that Tribes have cultivated over thousands of years. “As Secretary, I have the
distinct honour to travel to and visit with Indigenous communities across the United States who maintain their inherent connection to the land – a connection intrinsic to their cultures, languages, and ways of life.” She said the challenges the planet faced were vast and varied. “And we all have something to contribute,” she said. “Our solutions should be informed by thousands of years of observation, interaction and intimate understanding of our planet’s natural systems. “By centering Indigenous-led conservation, we can leverage the diversified and locally informed knowledge of the communities who have always stewarded the
land and waters we all depend on. “But using Indigenous Knowledge cannot happen in a vacuum. “It requires a fundamental shift in how Indigenous communities are treated, and how the tragic errors of our nations’ pasts are remedied. “This work requires all of us. “It requires that every country and leader learn from and build off the progress of others toward our shared goal. “It requires listening and learning. It requires action. “The future our children deserve is not out of reach. “But we must act quickly to save it. “And we must do it together. “Dawaa’e.”
limit future impacts to our families and communities across the country, which is why we’re calling on the court to recognise that it’s not consistent with the law or in the public interest to allow mining companies to expand their operations in Australia.” BSCA was represented by the Environmental
Defenders Office (EDO). EDO Special Counsel Matt Floro said the IPC had a duty to make legally reasonable, rational planning decisions in the public interest. “Our clients will argue the IPC’s approval of a major new source of climate pollution is legally unreasonable and irrational,” he said.
“The climate crisis has already begun, and Australians everywhere are highly vulnerable to its impacts. “There is a huge body of scientific evidence that we must leave coal and gas in the ground to maintain a liveable planet. “Approving more coal mines flies in the face of all the evidence.”
