Court dismissal turns into big, colourful public action.
The Federal Court may have dismissed the Australian Conservation Foundation’s challenge to the approval of Adani’s Carmichael mine, but ACF is not giving up and is determined to stop the massive coal mine proposed for central Queensland.
In the case ACF argued the federal government’s approval of the massive coal mine was inconsistent with Australia’s obligations to protect the Great Barrier Reef, a World Heritage site.
Tonight, ACF will Shine a Light for the reef with a big, colourful action in King George Square, Brisbane, along with the Australian Marine Conservation Society, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Greenpeace, 350 Australia and other community groups.
Together these groups represent the hundreds of thousands of Australians who love the reef and are opposed to this gigantic coal mine.
Expect to see dozens of beautiful lanterns in the colours of the reef and the shape of reef creatures: fish, turtles, sharks, rays, starfish, jellyfish and more.
Since Adani’s giant Carmichael coal mine was approved, global warming has fuelled the worst coral bleaching on record.
“Hundreds of us people are coming together at this critical moment to make it clear we will do everything we can to stop this mine and protect the Great Barrier Reef,” said ACF’s CEO Kelly O’Shanassy.
“People are shocked that the government can legally approve the biggest coal mine in Australia’s history while the Great Barrier Reef is hit by the worst coral bleaching on record – a direct result of global warming.
“If this mine goes ahead its coal will create 4.7 billion tonnes of climate pollution and will contribute to more frequent and worse bleaching events on the reef.
“We are calling on the new Federal Environment Minister, Josh Frydenberg, to reconsider the Adani approval in light of this year’s terrible bleaching event, to listen to the world’s top scientists and the community and reject this mine once and for all.
“Australians want you to choose our beautiful reef, not more polluting coal.
“We’ll light up the night with lanterns in colours of the reef so our love for the reef shines bright,” she said.
When: Tuesday 30 August 2016, 6pm to 7pm
Where: King George Square, Ann Street, Brisbane (Google Maps)
A similar event will be held in Melbourne tomorrow night.
