While scientists lament a severe coral bleaching event – caused by global warming – that will “change the Great Barrier Reef forever”, the Queensland government has granted a mining licence for Adani to dig Australia’s biggest coal mine.
“It is grossly irresponsible of the Palaszczuk government to issue the paperwork for the Carmichael coal mine, which will create millions of tonnes of climate pollution for many decades to come, when we can see the Great Barrier Reef is already being savaged by climate change,” said the Australian Conservation Foundation’s CEO Kelly O’Shanassy.
“The Barrier Reef is loved by people all over the world for its beauty and diversity.
“But in the last few weeks a thousand-kilometre stretch of the reef, from the Torres Strait to Cairns and beyond, has been bleached white by abnormally warm sea temperatures.
“By granting a licence for this massive coal mine the Palaszczuk government is bowing to the demands of big polluters, not listening to the needs of the people.
“In February the Queensland mines minister Anthony Lynham said he was reluctant to issue a mining licence to Adani while court cases challenging the mine approval were still to be heard,” she said.
“It makes you wonder whether the powerful coal lobby has leaned on the Queensland mines minister to issue Adani’s mining licence against his better judgement.”
This month the Wangan & Jagalingou traditional owners of the Carmichael land rejected for the third time an Indigenous land use agreement with Adani.
ACF is challenging Federal Environment Minister Hunt’s approval of Adani’s Carmichael project on the basis that the approval of the massive pollution-producing coal mine is inconsistent with Australia’s international obligations to protect the World Heritage-listed Barrier Reef. The challenge will be heard in the Federal Court in May.
