| Dear Neville —
Today, Prime Minister Abbott is heading to Papua New Guinea to represent Australia at the Pacific Islands Forum.When he arrives, he’ll be facing Pacific Leaders who have just signed the historic Suva Declaration on Climate Change, including a call for a global moratorium on new coal mines.
Prime Minister Abbott won’t support the moratorium, but you can back Pacific Leaders by adding your name to our petition.
In part, the Suva Declaration from the Pacific Islands Development Forum Summit of Leaders (PIDF 3) reads:
This is big. The growing movement for a global moratorium on new coal mines has found the backing of Pacific Island leaders, prominent thinkers and economists, and NGOs: all of them backing the President of Kiribati’s call for No New Coal Mines.
“The Suva Declaration is destined to be an historic document of an historic moment in which the Pacific came together as one.”
Will you show the Pacific that Prime Minister of Australia, Tony ‘coal is good for humanity’ Abbott does not represent your view on the future of coal, and join the call of the Pacific Islands for no new coal mines?
The Australia Institute’s research shows Pacific Island leaders’ concerns are justified. Australia’s ambitions to massively expand its coal exports are incompatible with global efforts to halt global warming. As our Chief Economist Richard Denniss recently told the London School of Economics, “…if the world wants to tackle climate change and Australia wants to double its coal exports, somebody is going to lose.”
This historic declaration and the solidarity of Pacific Island nations sends a strong message ahead of Paris COP21: that the Pacific Islands demand concrete action on climate change, and that means no new coal mines. Let’s show that we’re behind them — add your name!
Thanks for your support,
The Australia Institute Team
P.S. In other coal news, yesterday morning we released the results of a poll of Newcastle residents exploring their support for Newcastle City Council’s divestment decision, which was due to be rescinded last night. The results were stunning:
- Almost half (47.3%) of Novocastrians supported the council’s decision, while 24.8% were opposed.
- Additionally, the majority (51.9%) of respondents to the ReachTEL polling thought that coal investments were financially risky (25.8% thought coal investments are financially safe).
Last night Newcastle City Council, home of the world’s biggest coal port, defeated the motion to rescind (6 votes to five)! |
