Climate activists fire up
By Kieran Adair
Climate change activists greeted Sydney’s early-bird commuters on Tuesday morning with signs, placards, and petitions in support of a coming State Government proposal that could see a moratorium placed on constucting new coal fired power stations across NSW.
The proposal, to go before Kristina Keneally’s cabinet in the next few weeks, could see a state-wide ban on the building of new coal fired power stations – a coup for climate activists.
The group has already gathered over 10,000 signatures in support of the proposal, with more expected in the weeks leading to the decision.
“Almost half of NSW’s total greenhouse emissions are from… electricity generation from fossil fuels,” said Nature Conservation Council Chief Executive Officer Pepe Clarke.
“We’re seeking a commitment from the NSW government that they will help avoid catastrophic climate change by transitioning NSW away from dirty coal power and towards renewable energy.”
Activist group No New Coal, however, remains critical of the State Government over their approval of concept plans for the construction of new Bayswater B and Mt Piper Power Stations.
The group claims that if they are built they could cause the states carbon emissions to rise by as much as 36 per cent – 31 million tonnes.
