The federal government has approved further coal mining despite recent severe impacts of global warming. Source: TripodStories-AB, Wikimedia Commons
This winter in Australia was the warmest on record, with global warming being a contributing factor to above-average maximum temperatures across the country.
This winter was 1.53 degrees Celsius higher than the long-term average, making it Australia’s 11th winter in a row that was hotter than the 30-year average, according to data released by the Bureau of Meteorology on Friday.
The day before, the Bureau of Meteorology also forecast an especially warm, dry spring, increasing the risk of bushfires. The bureau also noted that the warmer climate is increasing severe weather events.
Despite these grim forecasts, the federal government approved a major coal mine expansion in central Queensland, which is its third coal project approval this year.
An extension to the Gregory Crinum coal mine in the Bowen Basin will allow the owner of the mine, Sojitz Blue, to create, maintain, and decommission a coking coal operation at the site until 2073.
The government’s decision to extend this coal project has been condemned by environmental research groups, particularly considering the decision came just after Climate Minister Chris Bowen toured the Pacific, promoting Australia as a country ‘delivering real action on climate change.’
The Australian Conservation Foundation has labelled the decision as a ‘reckless act’.
“Following the hottest July on record, as we’ve watched climate change wreaking havoc in Canada, Hawaii, Greece and Italy – and with Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology warning of a dangerous spring and summer ahead of us – it beggars belief that the government would approve a 50-year coal mine extension,” said the foundation’s CEO, Kelly O’Shanassy.
The Climate Council, an organisation focused on climate science, impacts, and solutions, were also angered by the government’s decision.
Jennifer Rayner, head of advocacy for the Climate Council, said: “The cognitive dissonance is stunning.”
“It makes zero sense to have one hand claiming Australia is a global leader on action on climate while the other is busy rubber stamping 50 more years of coal.”
Amanda McKenzie, the Climate Council’s chief executive, said the coal mine approval “shows our environmental laws are absolutely broken.”
