Protesters across Australia have taken to blocking fuel terminals in response to the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, detailing the dramatic effects of carbon emissions.
Extinction Rebellion activists in Brisbane have joined with climate protesters in Hobart and Adelaide by blocking fuel trucks from entering terminals, disrupting driveways and protesting outside the facilities.
They say activists have locked themselves to gates and face arrest for their actions, but will remain protesting until they are physically removed from the blockade.
Kate Miller, a paediatric nurse and Extinction Rebellion activist says the latest IPCC report is damning, and the Australian government’s inaction on climate change is damaging the future of next generations.
“The IPCC report could not have been more clear: human activity is the cause of climate change and it’s accelerating, fast,” she said.
“Global temperatures have already risen by 1.1 degrees, and Australia has exceeded this at 1.4 degrees of warming.
“We must act now and move rapidly to a renewable, zero carbon economy.”
She added that fossil fuel workers deserve a secure transition into new avenues of clean and sustainable industries, as evidenced by European nations.
This comes as the Australian government was called out by its trading partners on its insufficient emission reduction targets this week.
Former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, labelled Australia’s current reduction in emissions target as insufficient and out of step with its states.
“Economically, failing to set ambitious, credible emissions targets in line with the rest of the world poses a huge threat to Australia’s future prosperity and international standing,” he said.
The IPCC report comes just three months before a UN climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, where nations will pledge ambitious climate action and substantial financing.
The Morrison government has not committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 in response to the IPCC report and maintains the target as a preference.
Extinction Rebellion says the federal, territory and state governments provide $10.3 billion annually in subsidies to prop up economically-unviable coal, oil and gas companies.
“From a climate perspective this is inexcusable, and from an economic and workforce perspective, it is irresponsible,” Rachael, an environmental activist said.
“Current governments across Australia are failing in their duty of care to ensure that we all have a safe and liveable future on this planet. We have no choice but to rebel.”
AAP
