linksunten Archiv

"If at first you don't stack up economically, make the public pay for it," argues an Australian ethical investment NGO about the proposed controversial Adani coalmines in central Queensland. "This could be the mantra that delivers Adani's Carmichael mega coal mine in the Galilee Basin at the expense of the environment, culture, our prospects of a stable climate and in defiance of sound economics,” writes Julien Vincent, of Market Forces. "Since buying the coal tenements in 2010 Adani has failed to secure a single private backer for the Carmichael mine. In fact, since then, 17 banks have either publicly distanced themselves from Galilee Basin coal export projects or introduced policies that prevent them lending to the Carmichael mine. 

"In an industry where sentiment and market signals have a huge impact, leadership from private banks like Westpac can do more than just prevent a project like Adani's Carmichael coal mine, and its impacts on people, the environment and climate. It can help prevent Australians for having to pay for the privilege."

Market Forces exposes the institutions financing environmentally destructive projects and helps Australians hold these institutions accountable. “We work with the community to prevent investment in projects that would harm the environment and drive global warming.”

Coal destined for power plants in India from the Adani pits would be unlikely to deliver the cuts to greenhouse gas emissions claimed by Australian government ministers, an International Energy Agency (IEA) analyst has told the Climate Home website. 

Colin Henderson, an expert advisor at the International Energy Agency’s Clean Coal Centre, told Climate Home the energy content of the Carmichael coal “is lower, and the ash content is higher” than was generally being sold by other countries in the coal export market. Lower quality coal produces worse greenhouse gas emissions.  

"While exported Australian coal is generally of higher quality than other countries, this would not be the case for coal from the Carmichael mine located in the large untapped Galilee Basin in north Queensland,” Henderson said.

"The region is identified by Greenpeace as the second largest of 14 global “carbon bombs” being targeted for exploitation by energy companies."

The Queensland Labor government gas granted the Adani mines unlimited water access for 60 years. Environmental and legal groups fear irreversible impact on groundwater and accuse the government of giving the Indian company special treatment.

The groups argue that it would potentially be too late to reverse any damage caused to the region’s farms and land titles. “Our experience is that this is no substitute for sustainable water resources for landowners,” Bragg said.

"There’s an issue about whether this controversial company will even be in existence to honour make-good agreements over that time and practical issues such as where the water would be supplied from.”

The Adani project also involves building a 400-kilometre railway line to take the coal to port. The government is said to be ready to grant a one-billion-dollar loan from tax revenue for the purpose. Granting it would breach government policy, says a legal group.

The NGO Environmental Justice Australia has lodged a formal complaint about the prospect of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility partially funding the rail line.

It is believed two companies – an Adani-related entity and the rail company Aurizon – have made rival bids for $1bn in government loans. EJA said government funding of the line would be a clear breach of competitive neutrality principles.

On Tuesday (4 April), a group of grandparent activists occupied the office of Queensland’s Deputy Premier Jackie Trad. Cayman Islands was the theme, Gautam Adani holidaying with a billion dollars of public funds. Prepared with food, bedding and a camp toilet, the grandparents vowed to occupy the office until Jackie Trad signed a legal letter stopping our money going to Adani.

“The grandparents stopped the office closing for the day, taking turns blocking the doorway for almost 5 hours. With music! After pizza and some loud Puccini, the police arrived. With a TV crew following the action, the grandparents were removed from the doorway. Anne, Richard and John were arrested but released without charge. We broadcast this live on Facebook.

“The Galilee Blockade campaign will continue to target Queensland Labor. The Feds too because they are silent on Queensland Labor allowing our money to go to Adani.”

The Australian Conservation Foundation is calling for people to sign up to membership. “In our 51st year, it’s never been more important to speak out, show up and act to create a future in which our living world can thrive.”

Calling itself “a powerful force for nature” the ACF says it has a lot to be proud of. “But the only way to solve the pollution and extinction crisis we face today is for us to do what ACF’s founders did 51 years ago. We must come together as a united community to speak out for the most important thing on Earth – life itself.

“ACF members have made critical wins possible – people from every corner of our wide brown land, generation after generation. Together we won World Heritage listing for Tasmania’s ancient forests, created the world’s largest marine park network and pioneered the national Landcare movement.”

Brenda the Civil Disobedience Penguin sees democracy fatally compromised by the Adani project. She expounds her views on the The Guardian’s First Dog on the Moon comic. Caution: your laughter may stick in your throat.