The Federal Government has this year argued in court that burning coal does not
necessarily produce greenhouse gases.
In May, Environment Minister Senator Ian Campbell signed off two new coal mines for
Queensland - the Isaac Plains and Sonoma projects. Senator Campbell said neither needed
assessment under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
But Queensland's Wildlife Preservation Society challenged that decision in the Federal
Court. It claimed the minister failed to consider the effects of climate change that the
extraction and burning of coal from the proposed mines would have on areas such as the
Great Barrier Reef.
The Government responded by disputing a statement of facts, including that burning coal
produced global-warming greenhouse gases and that climate change could hurt areas such
as the Great Barrier Reef.
The denial comes at a time when the Government is in other forums acknowledging that
climate change is a serious issue. The Department of Environment and Heritage report
“Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability” lists priority vulnerable systems and regions
which are most at risk from climate change. On the list are alpine regions, tropical
rainforest areas, heathland systems in south west Australia, coastal mangrove and wetland
systems, rangelands – and reef systems including the Great Barrier Reef. However, they’re
a crafty lot. I couldn’t find the word ‘coal’ mentioned. There’s a colourful brochure called
“Understanding Greenhouse Science – Frequently Asked Questions.” Again, while it talks
about the carbon cycle and the impacts of human activity, nowhere is the word ‘coal’
mentioned.
In Parliament, Bob Brown accused the Government of having a "duplicitous arrangement"
with the coal industry. "The reality is that climate change is coming and the minister knows
it, but the absurdity is he goes into court and says it isn't so," he said. The ALP’s Anthony
Albanese also spoke out on this issue. Senator Campbell accused the ALP of turning on the
Queensland Labor Government by supporting a motion for the Commonwealth to override
the state's environmental processes.
One of the major impediments to addressing climate change is the relationship between
government and the coal industry. Subsidies, market structures, streamlined assessment
processes and energy strategies all support coal energy. The coal industry is a major donor
to both major political parties. The Government’s Chief Scientist is the Executive Officer
of Conzinc RioTinto. In the US it’s the relationship between the government and the oil
industry. The energy systems which pose the greatest threats to the planet are the ones in
which the vested interests are the greatest.
What does Ian Causley think about all this? Write to him and ask.
-Claire
Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii)