Sydney, Australia: There has been a lot of talk about the controversial Adani Group recently, Four Corners even released a damning investigation into the organisation last month ‘Digging Into Adani’.
Adani Group is an Indian energy company, proposing to build one of the largest coal mines in the world in the Galilee Basin in Queensland. Aside from multiple credible reports of corruption and environmentally destructive behaviour and the big four banks refusing to contribute any loans, the Australian government is shockingly still backing the project with billions of dollars of taxpayer’s money. This is pretty disgusting considering that burning fossil fuels is widely reported by climate scientists to cause global warming. Global warming is not only one of the biggest threats to humans but has been destroying species worldwide. This year was the worst recorded coral bleaching in history for the Great Barrier Reef. Record-breaking high temperatures and extreme weather conditions, driven by global warming, have caused two-thirds of the natural wonder to be severely damaged.
Related Post: Australia Spells It Out Clearly For Government at Stop Adani National Day of Action
The rest of the world seems to be focusing on renewable energy yet the Australian government is still investing in dirty fossil fuels. If the Adani Group’s Carmichael coal mine in Australia goes ahead, it will not only contribute to global warming, it will directly destroy species. There are many species potentially at risk, below are just four.
Climate change is doing widespread and consequential harm to animals and plants, which are struggling to adapt to new conditions.” – National Geographic
1. Whales
Whales are the peaceful giants of the ocean. There are 15 species recorded at the Great Barrier Reef. Whales unfortunately face more threats than ever in the ocean according to the Australian Marine Conservation Society, “Australia’s seas are becoming increasingly disorientating and hazardous place for our whales”. Australian’s humpback whales are listed as “vulnerable” on the official list of threatened species under Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
The Adani Carmichael coal mine will increase vessels through the Green Barrier Reef Marine Park from Abbot’s Point, transporting on average a reported 60 million tonnes of coal annually. This will disrupt whales migration due to noise and causing a likely increase in the chance of vessel strikes. World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) reports that collisions between cetaceans and vessels are a significant cause of death and traumatic injury to the animals,“these accidents are likely to become more common in the future due to the increasing amount of traffic on our seas, and the increasing size and speed of today’s ships”. Another potential threat to whales is decreasing food supplies, caused from rising sea temperatures from global warming. Releasing 120 million tonnes of C02 per annum will only make the situation worse.
2. Southern Black – Throated Finch
There are various bird species potentially at risk directly from the proposed Adani Carmichael coal mine. The southern black-throated finch is predicted to be close to extinction if the coal mine goes ahead, due to its remaining strong hold population within the Galilee Basin. A recent paper published in PLoS One, reports that 60% of the finch’s remaining habitat is threatened by the Adani mining activities in Queensland.
3. Dugong “Sea Cow”
This herbivore marine animal is commonly everyone’s favourite sea creature, often referred to as ‘the sea cow’. Dugong are essential to coastal marine ecosystems and most of the world’s population lives in Australian waters in Queensland according to the Green Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. This means that it’s essential for Australia to conserve the population.
They are currently near to extinction due to coastal development and extreme weather conditions such as floods or cyclones. The Carmichael coal mine will disrupt the coastline; increase the chances of boat strikes and cause declining water quality. All of these outcomes will affect the limited Dugong population in Queensland. The Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection/Queensland Parks and Wildlife reports that due to the current mortality rates and slow breeding, the population is not sustainable unless action is taken.
4. Hawksbill Sea Turtles
A loss of coral at the Great Barrier Reef affects all sea turtles, however coral for Hawsbill Sea Turtles are crucial for their food. With the prediction that by 2050 most of the Great Barrier Reef will be dead unless we take action, sadly this means so will these turtles. This also affects the human population, biologist Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, director of the Global Change Institute at Australia’s University of Queensland recently claimed, “whether you’re living in North America or Europe or Australia, you should be concerned, this is the fabric of the ecosystem that supports us.” – Action – Push For Renewables
There are endless reasons to stop the Adani coal mine developing further on the Great Barrier Reef. The Stop Adani campaign has some great advice on how to take action, it’s not too late. They recommend checking out local groups or events to raise awareness and contact your local MP about the issue. GetUp is working hard on the Stop Adani campaign; you can help fund their campaign efforts here. There is a valid argument that renewable energy investment in Australia would create far more jobs and money than the proposed coal mine.
It’s time to stop thinking small. Australia is the sunniest continent on earth, and one of the windiest. We can unleash our bountiful renewable resources and repower Australia with cleaner, cheaper energy.” ‘Stop Adani’ website
Action required: Invest in science and reduce your impact
The biggest action we need to take is to invest in research and conservation programmes now. If the coal mine development goes ahead, we need investment in conservation to offset the damage. Although the Australian government apparently has a spare $1 billion for international mining companies, there isn’t the same budget available for conservation efforts.
There are a few organisations you can help support in various ways, including simply donating a small amount each month. There are also great pointers on how to reduce your carbon footprint, which will also make a positive impact on endangered species.
To start off, here a few organisations you can support: WWF, Australian Marine Conservation Society, Greenpeace, Australian Conservation Foundation.
