An Activist’s View From The Top
One of our activists from Fiji is locked onto the top of the coal loader. Here is his personal view from above.
“I can see more than a 12 coal ships waiting to load coal behind me. There are mountains of coal. It is a bit overwhelming - tonnes and tonnes of it. Eveything I see here means to me that there’s one more family that will be affected, one more child that won’t have the future they deserve.
“I have done this action because, as a Pacific Island, we’re the most affected by climate change. I’ve noticed myself the sea level rise and unexpected weather conditions. We want a future for our children. I want my children, and their children, to experience the very essence of what makes the Pacific Islands our home. we can’t have that taken away from us.”
» Follow the action on Twitter
» Video coverage of the day’s action
» Cartoon Nails The Pacific Dilemma
» Videos: personal testimonials from people living in the Pacific
Below are the first set of images from earlier this morning. (c) Greenpeace
August 5th, 2009 at 10:15 am
go Greenpeace, go you good thing..carry on the good fight Fenton and the crew..we are behind you all the way
August 5th, 2009 at 11:58 am
thanks guys you rock…keep up the good work you have all the surpport from the locall activist
August 5th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Good on ya GP. It’s a bit hypercritical, Evey tonne of coal loaded through the shiploader you are chained to is coaking coal not thermal. It is used for steel making not power generation. The cables you are hanging off are steel. The ship YOU arrived in? yep steel.
August 5th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
I understand that for many Pacific islands volcanic subsidence is a problem, suggesting that sea level rise, no matter the cause (subsidence or human induced climate change or expanding human populations and conseqquent exploitation of the natural environment), will have made many islands untenable in the future regardless of what we do in the next few years.
Given that India and China will not cease their programs of increasing emmissions as they lift their citizens out of poverty, cutting Australia’s meagre 1% contribution to emissions seems irrelevant.
Cutting coal exports to India and China and other developing nations seems to me a bit arrogant. They need power, they need it fast. Australia’s coal has less polluting sulphur and so it is best for everyone they buy it from us rather than from other producers of dirty coal.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Too bad there is still another shiploader there and the only reason they shut down operations was so the activists didn’t get killed. Besides, Dalrymple bay is right next door with four shiploaders!
August 5th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Do you really think that chaining yourself to the coal loader is going to change anything? Do you think Keving Rudd is even bothered looking at this?? What you are doing is using more power and emissions when you upload your photos, wear your plastic hardhats etc and continue to waste time with meaningless protests
August 5th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Good to see you all have your PPE on.
But seriously get down, in the current economic situation mining and relevant industries are the things keeping us a float.
August 5th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Do you realise that what you have done is enter a maritime security zone without permission, which is in the realms of terrorism? I suspect you will be stung with the demurrage costs and loss of production charges, might need a few more donations, as that should be in the millions.
August 5th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
massive safety breach. they are putting themselves in danger. they want us to stop using coal but i can not see then offering us a viable alternative. until you have one GO HOME GREENPEACE
August 5th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
You know, I think I might just cut my donations… I thought you were planting trees and investing in energy research. It’s like an all expenses payed adventure holiday for these circus performers.
If I’d been asked on the street whether I’d like to support a man planning to hang a hundred metres off the ground from a steel wire using a piece of string, for a cause, I might well have reconsidered the validity of your work.
August 5th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
There is hope that PM Rudd and other leaders take heed of this critical issue and engage in the action that is so desperately needed.
Thank you guys. We are soooo proud of your work! And Fenton and Api, we are with you in spirit.
August 5th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Hi Coal Worker,
We aren’t opposed to steel. In fact some of the renewable energy technologies that we are promoting such as wind turbines are made of steel. We can, however, reduce the amount of energy used to make steel and we can also radically increase steel recycling. Check out this campaign to encourage renewable energy production by United Steel, Environmental Defense Action Fund, United Steelworkers and Blue Green Alliance: http://www.thecapsolution.org/
It is harder to replace coking coal than it is thermal coal (the latter can be replaced with renewable energy). But the fact is, whether it is thermal or coking coal, when its burnt, it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and puts us at greater risk of suffering serious climate change impacts. Australia is the world’s largest coal exporter. We exports 30% of the world’s total coal exports and most of it is used for power generation. Rather than use public money to fund an expansion to our coal exports, we think Australia should be investing in renewable energy exports.
August 5th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Hang in there my friends,
Thankyou for your work in campaigning for a better world. You have my full support. A tear was brought to my eye the other day when I saw a massive wind farm on the way from Sydney to Canberra and I look forward to when there are more around.
I wonder if climate denialists understand the services provided by a stable climate and the economic costs associated with climate change? The insurance bills? Food price? loss of human life due to increasing natural disasters such as bushfire, hurrican and flood? yep, they’ll all increase with worsening climate change!
August 5th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Greenpeace are all a bunch of terrorists, go get a real job u hippies.
August 5th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
___________________________________
—————Protest—————————
_________________________________
To sin by silence, when we should protest,
Makes cowards out of men. The human race
Has climbed on protest. Had no voice been raised
Against injustice, ignorance, and lust,
The inquisition yet would serve the law,
And guillotines decide our least disputes.
The few who dare, must speak and speak again
To right the wrongs of many. Speech, thank God,
No vested power in this great day and land
Can gag or throttle. Press and voice may cry
Loud disapproval of existing ills;
May criticise oppression and condemn
The lawlessness of wealth-protecting laws
That let the children and childbearers toil
To purchase ease for idle millionaires.
Therefore I do protest against the boast
Of independence in this mighty land.
Call no chain strong, which holds one rusted link.
Call no land free, that holds one fettered slave.
Until the manacled slim wrists of babes
Are loosed to toss in childish sport and glee,
Until the mother bears no burden, save
The precious one beneath her heart, until
God’s soil is rescued from the clutch of greed
And given back to labor, let no man
Call this the land of freedom.
August 5th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
To the Greenpeace Team out there, thank you for being passionate of what you stand for………..we are all so proud of you……..be STRONG…you have full support from the Team back home.
August 5th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
We are following this issue closely and heard only minutes ago that 4 of you are still locked on bringing your time up there to almost 11 hours!! Hats off for this bold stand against an industry that causes one of the greatest threats to the very existence of all Pacific island peoples.
Let the pessimists rattle on……
THE PACIFIC PEOPLE ARE BEHIND YOU!
August 5th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Its high time we need a change. Serious consequenses lie ahead. Please people support the good course. Fenton & Api…We are proud of you guys as well as the rest of the team. Hats off to you all…
August 5th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
I read Rudd’s welcome to Pacific delegates
Prime Minister Rudd urged the region to take up the challenge of responding to climate change.
“The December meeting in Copenhagen of parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change must advance a global solution that is comprehensive, effective and fair with support for vulnerable countries, such as those of the Pacific.
“It will be crucial that the nations of the Pacific Islands Forum come together as one and underline to international community the magnitude of the challenge our region faces.”
But he keeps on expanding his coal empire.
From me to you Rudd and Keys “ You should not be part of the Forum as you are just bullies. Pacific leaders get them out as they are not our big brothers but are out to see us destroyed. They do not care even after causing climate changing. Booo to both Rudd and Keys.
August 5th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
GO FENTON & API GO!!!
greenpeace is doing something to make a difference and they are letting the world know of what is happening to the world and especially the pacific islands…..all the best guys….
we care about the future!!!we care about earth!!!
GO GREENPEACE!!!….all the best!!
August 5th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
go on green peace..carry on the tremendous job u guys are doing..we need a a healthy palnet…
August 5th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Go Frenton..Go Greenpeace..U guyz rock
August 5th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
GO Greenpeace!!!
August 5th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Climate change in the Pacific is real, and needs real action.
Thanks GP and all the activists out there for being part of that action.
August 5th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Go on GREENPEACE!
Reading thru the responses, i can understand how and why some are against it…
But here we have a group of young men and women of our generation that are willing to actually stand up for what they believe in…what hopefully WE ALL BELIEVE IN!?…a FUTURE for the NEXT GENERATION!
Well it might seem pointless to some but if it is heard by just one, just the one who will actually sit and just ponder on what or how he/she can do for our FUTURE …then i say job well done to the GP Crew! Crack on gang!
aim achieved…”MAKING THE LEADERS AWARE”
one thing taught in leadership training is T.E.A.M work…
Together Everyone Achieves More…
Give them a moment of your time to just hear them out…listen to what they have to offer.
Its for your own good, all of ours…
August 5th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Thank you for your hard work. Go Greenpeace.
August 5th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Hey guys! Just wanted to say keep up the great work! You’re a real inspiration to anyone who cares about our planet and future generations! Thanks for putting yourself out there and making our collective voice heard! Best wishes all through your endeavour! Will be thinking of you and doing my best to spread the word on this side of the world! Love ya! xxx
August 5th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Thankyou for bearing witness, for standing up as the leaders sit down.
Well done crew!
i don’t need coal, I get my power from the sun and wind,
and so can the chinese etc.
money is not all that matters,
you can’t eat it, or breathe it,
unfortutunately, you can love it.
It’s time the earth and our future survival came first.
Great Work GP!
Cheers
Paul in SA
August 5th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
GO Greenpeace!!! we are with you all the way……all the best guys…..
August 6th, 2009 at 12:04 am
Thanks for being willing to put your lives on the line to bring some attention to this issue. I hope your government hears you. There are many lives at stake already right now in the Pacific but governments around the world just dont seem to care. Maybe stirring things up now and then (which you do so well) is what we need to get those Leaders and business people to wake up and think about the moral responsibility of what theyre doing.
August 6th, 2009 at 6:19 am
Understand the need for practical action on Climate Change issue - as does EVERYONE, but “Rudd’s Coal Empire”, “Coal expansion with public money” … ??? this obvious attempt @ disinformation, not even knowing the difference between coking coal and energy coal and anyway cheap stunts like this that completely erode Greenpeace’s credibilty are NOT what is required, especially as there is a very important debate/legislation on carbon credits pervading Canberra currently … puts Greenpeace back 10 years and out of credible debate. Not happy AT ALL. Take your “holidays” some where else.
August 6th, 2009 at 7:08 am
Paul Grillo - was any coal generated electricity used in making your wind turbines or solar panels? Was any steel used in the manufacture of said electricity generators? Do you own anything made of steel? If the answer to any one of those questions is yes (and I have no doubt the answer to all will be yes), then you are a hypocrite. Did you use money to buy your wind turbine or solar panel? If so, then you are funding the coal industry.
We already recycle all the steel we can as it is a lucrative market which lots of money can be made from, so we aren’t wasting, there is just that much global demand for new steel that the coal needs to be used.
You won’t change anything by attacking big corporations, you need to change the way of doing things for the average person on every portion of the developed and developing world. You should stop wasting your time here, and go to China and India, as that is where your action would make the largest difference to manmade pollution.
August 6th, 2009 at 8:54 am
You bunch of hippie’s. Stop wasting time and money and get a real life.
I’m sure most of us with real jobs, paying real taxes, would love to cruise around on the “love boat”…..
August 6th, 2009 at 9:48 am
i guess that “Coal is King” who has a real job and a real life and who pays real taxes is already in his private “Love boat”.
if these “bunch of hippies” don’t stop these coal companies now, the small island countries will definitely go under water, i guess the “Coal is King” is not aware of the current situation in the small Pacific Countries. i would suggest he go and buy a real Television with the real money he is earning with the real job he has.
I wonder if these “bunch of hippies” were not there doing the best they do to combat climate change. i guess our “Coal is King” would take his Love boat and rescue the people from the drowning islands and restore their culture and heritage.
August 6th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Are Greenpeace going to pay for loss of wages for all the contractors and their families which you have disrupted by you prank. !!! You have made your point and got your pics in the paper and on TV. Get down now and let us get back to our jobs so we can feed our families. Life is not just about you there are always side affects think about that next time !!!!!!!
August 6th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Are greanpeace aware that they are only bringing bad publicity on themselves and their cause… Honestly, they will not achieve anything long term here, they may have shut the terminal down short term, but all they are is annoying.
I will support BMA/BHP 100% in their claims to recover lost revenue caused by this reckless and disrespectful act. they are merely costing millions to the mining giant, which in turn is costing our community millions, not to mention our country.
These “activists” are mostly on the dole i’d guess, in which case they are biting the hand that feeds them in more ways than the obvious… Many of my co workers give generously to Greenpeace each month, but now that greenpeace has directly targeted their lively hood (mining), i believe, now they see greenpeace for the terrorists they are.
I guess all we could hope for is that one of those big sheave blocks lets go and kills a couple of these terrorists, maybe then they would learn what all those guard rails and safety regulations are for…
August 6th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Hi “Pissed Off”,
I understand that you’re concerened about your job and being able to feed you family. You’re right - there are always side effects to think about, and the side effects of the coal industry are something that have been largely ignored for a long time - we’re only starting t take notice now.
The impact of increased carbon emissions is “the greenhouse effect” which leads to climate change, and there are entire nations in the Pacific who are very very concerned about being able to go to their jobs & feed their familes becuase they are threatened by climate change. They’re not going to be able to do either unless countries like Australia do their part and reduce their emissions. Coal is the dirtiest of fossil fuels, and proportionally coal releases the most greenhouse gas emssions per unit. That’s why coal needs to be phased out as quickly as possible - so that families all around the Pacific have a future.
August 6th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
If the “hippies” hadn’t got involved with stunts and bans we’d have demolished The Rocks in Sydney in the 1970s and replaced them with office towers. And we’d still have French Nuclear Testing in the Pacific, and possibly in outback Australia also. The Franklin River would be flooded. And we’d still be making soap out of whale blubber.
Unfortunately, these “stunts” are necessary to make people stop and think. They’re the only way to get into the media to highlight the problems our lifestyles are causing - both in our society and, more importantly, “silently” out of sight in other people’s lives and countries.
They’re human too.
August 6th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Wow, what a debate….Though all the coal supporters are under a disguise name, too ashamed to reveal yourself or all the same person trying to seem like there’s a majority for coal?
For all those who are concerned about the money they’re loosing from not working because of Greenpeace’s noble action against the coal industry’s act of global terrorism,,, if money was so tight for you then why haven’t you started growing your own veges? Its the cheapest and easiest thing and you can even do it living in a tiny apartment, I DO IT, and you can get heaps of food! Maybe you should take their action as a since to change you’re lifestlye. Also, think about all the money you won’t be earning when climate change has reached its peak and you’ll be forced to shut down! Greenpeace has plenty of evidence and offer alternative solutions. If you’d read or talk with them you might have realized this!
If you’ve ever met a real “hippie”, then you’d know that Greenpeace is far too realistic and productive to be a “hippie”.
August 6th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Thank you for confronting Environmental terrorism!!!!!!
August 6th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
just making a small point, speaking of wind turbines, you do know they are responsible for the deaths of 1,000’s of birds a year, why doesn’t greenpeace do something useful and work to conserve and protect these birds rather that hanging from a riduculously dangerous place just to make a point, about an issue that is pissing more people off then alerting them in a positive way.
August 6th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Peaceful protest, good timing during Pacific Island Leaders Conference.
“The small island states have agreed we must make a very strong stance with respect to the greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.
Countries in the group were the most vulnerable to global warming but had little leverage in the global debate because they wield little or no diplomatic or economic clout, he added.
The small states also urged larger countries such as Australia to allocate more aid to help them prepare for inundation.” http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hDFK72jdmHcrrft7EQOcdklRnc_wD99SHG700
Shut up about your stupid jobs. We don’t care about your jobs. We care as much for your job as you do for anyone else’s job or lifestyle. There is absolutely no such thing as a “protected” job. When and if your bosses decide they can get you for less, they will. And when that happens, as it did for all our textile and manufactuting workers, we will do what you did. NOTHING. The same nothing we are inflicting on our nearest neighbours as their families bear the brunt of our indifference. Go bleat your pathetic whining to someone who gives a damn but that place is not here. Greenpeace loves life, you only love yourselves. Sorry for tone, I must be really Pissed Off.
August 6th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Workers are paramount to our future, investing in our future requires us to recognise that the world is moving towards technology that is far advanced to what we have now.
We need the people who work on these sites to be re-trained to embrace a better life for them and the world. Coal is a dangerous substance, breathing it in burnt or un-burnt is poisonous. There are concentrated solar thermal plants in Spain that showcase the future. Surely the sunniest continent in the world could offer these chances to bolster investment in infrastructure, renew our economy and create a wealth of green jobs.
To cling blindly to the technology of our past, denies our right and intelligence to become something better then what we are now.
Wanting a better life, less toxic chemicals in our air and new technology that is vastly superior to what we currently enjoy is believing in the pinnacle of human achievement.
Virtually 100% of the scientists who work in the field of climate science agree and the whiz kid engineers of our time are laying out a path to a future where you, me and anyone is living the future we all deserve.
We should not have to force these changes, they should be the vision of all who can see past petty politics.
August 7th, 2009 at 6:36 am
Crystalyne… just so u know my name is jason… i’m not hiding my realy name, and until now i have made one post. most of you guys are so bureaucratic that you’re missing the real world around you. Coal export will go on until theres none left, wether we like it or not.
Coal export pays for your roads, books in libraries, capital works programs, hospitals, schools, not to mention paying for thousand of lazy bludgers and peace activists to eat there soy products and tofu every day.
These greepeace “activists” should be charged under anti terror laws, as anyone else would that went past the gates without asio clearance.. If anyone else even went close to those cables without proper clearance they would be jailed under terrorism laws… so should these greenpeace “activists (terrorists)”.. i Say 10 year jail term each for these idiots…
August 7th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I say life time jail for the CEO of BHP for their damage to the climate and associated loss of life as a result of burning and exporting coal!!
I hope that all of the denialists realise the services provided by a stable climate and an intact environment. Do you breathe air? eat food? Drink water? All these services are provided by the environment. If you are using air, water and food and not standing up for the environment then YOU are a hypocrit! I’ll take you credibly when you stop breathing air or BHP starts producing clean air!! And I’ll recognise coal mining’s contribution to our economy when they start paying for the loss of tourism asscoiated with the destruction of the great barrier reef, the loss of food production in the Murray Darling Basin, the increase in costs assocatied with increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, the list goes on.
Climate change is not just an environmental problem. It’s a social and economic one as well. It isn’t aproblem for the greenies, it’s a problem for everyone. Greenpeace is doing incredibly noble and selfless work toward saving our earth, thankyou.
I’m pleased to see that all our skeptics/denialists/detractors of greenpeace’s work are passionate enough to sit back and do buisness as usual while writing a few unresearched generalised statements peppered with slander on a blog site!!! Greenpeace are the real heros here. If you’re not helping the planet, get off!! There are no jobs, no economy and no life on a dead planet.
August 8th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
I will repost these questions here as the original blog on Abbot Point obviously has lost it’s appeal. I have posted these exact comments on several other blogs on this site and still have not received a reply. Mouthing platitudes is easy isn’t it, actually developing an alternative is a little harder and I dont see Greenpeace or anyone else on this site offering any viable alternatives. Probably none of you will reply to this post either I suppose. That will just confirm my opinion of you all.
Evan Says:
August 5th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Hey Mark
Renewables can replace coal - and that process can and should begin now.
Okay, tell me what renewables we are talking about here. Tell me which renewable energy source would be acceptable to people such as yourself. Tell me if it is an energy source in sufficient abundance, that is easily accessed, is non polluting in any sense and can supply our current and future energy needs. If it is not current technology, who pays for the research and development required to get it to the point where it is a viable alternative? Would you be prepared to pay 10% more for you energy needs, 50%, 100%, 1000%. At what point do we, as a society in general (remember we live in a democracy), say it is costing too much for our energy needs. Give me a viable alternative that meets all the criteria currently met by coal fired power generation and I will support it.
Evan Says:
August 5th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Hey Mark
We don’t have to be captives of coal. I refuse to be! Go Greenpeace!
So you do not consume any form of coal generated energy in your life at all? Just how did you post your comments on this blog?
August 11th, 2009 at 8:19 am
Still no reply. Now isn’t that suprising. 3 days for someone to say something and I get nothing. Just about what I expected.
Master of the Esperenza is due in Bowen court today regarding his illegal activities at Abbot Point. Might be work a look just for a laugh.
August 17th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
outstanding work GP - totally inspiring stuff. you have yet again
succeeded in raising a very important issue to the broader community