Newcastle coal exports cost A$27 billion in damages through climate change

MEDIA RELEASE - 2 November 2006 The 80 million tonnes of coal exported from Newcastle annually cause about A$27 billion worth of damage, more than five times more than what it's worth, according to the British Government's Stern Report on the cost of climate change, released this week. The Stern Report noted that each tonne of CO2 emitted causes A$100 in damages to the economy. Each tonne of coal burnt releases 2.6 tonnes of CO2. "Coal's cost to economies and communities, and the global environment, is why hundreds of Novocastrians from all walks of life will gather on Nobby's Beach on Saturday 4 November to show the world that Newcastle must go "Beyond coal ... renewable energy" said Geoff Evans, co-convenor of the action organisers, Climate Action Newcastle. The large, colourful human sign will signal that the Newcastle community is set to respond to the challenge posed by world-renowned environmentalist Dr David Suzuki, who said during his visit to Newcastle in October "The impact to the global climate change movement if Newcastle were to say no to coal expansion …. would be huge … Globally, everybody would cite it …. I think Newcastle could make that kind of statement…." (The Herald H2, 7/10/06). "Indications are that people will come out in droves to help us form the biggest human sign seen in Newcastle" said Climate Action Newcastle spokesperson Vicki Brooke. "It's something that fires the imagination and spells out very clearly to politicians, industry and business that people want serious government action in the face of clear evidence of human-induced climate change" she said. "Climate change will definitely be on next year's election agendas" she added. The Nobby's action is one of many groups around the world and Australia taking part in International Day of Action on Climate Change on November 4. Events are happening in cities on every continent with thousands expected to walk in Sydney, in other capital cities and many regional centres. The Nobby's event will go ahead rain, hail or shine. People are asked to gather on the beach at 1pm for a 2pm aerial photo shoot. Co-convenor of Climate Action Newcastle, Geoff Evans, said "We will be showing politicians and business that the community is very concerned about the future on Earth, our life support system. Climate change impacts are happening now, and affecting us all. Newcastle, as the world's largest coal exporter, is a climate change hot spot, and we need to wean the regional economy from coal to clean, safe, renewable energy" he said. Climate Action Newcastle is campaigning for a cap on coal exports at present levels, and for the NSW Government to set a Mandatory Renewable Energy target of 25% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2020. "This target would conservatively deliver 4,000 permanent jobs, $9 billion new investment in NSW, 4000 MW new capacity, equivalent to two coal fired power stations, 13 % reduction in electricity sector greenhouse emissions on current levels by 2020, and enough renewable electricity to power every household in NSW" Mr Evans said. Renewable energy sources can include wind, solar, hydro and bio-energy. For further information contact Vicki Brooke: 0425 243 860 Geoff Evans: 0418 261 404