When governments do not act to save our planet, there is a responsibility for citizens to act.

After all the letters, submissions, protests, and meetings, the NSW Government has ignored the clear will of the community and approved the doubling of exports from the world's biggest coal port. They have left us with no option but to stop these developments ourselves.

We risk our lives to make coal companies get rich. Then the rich buy more chaotic consumeristic climate changing products. Let's take direct action at entry points on our bicycles!

The time is now- renewable energy sources are the only way forward.

What right has the government and coal industry to make decisions that jeopardize the future of this planet and its people? And all for the sake of short term profits? How dare they.

Communities need to act against the powers of industry and the development priorities of Government to stand up for the environment.

the office of 'citizen' is the most important role in any true democracy, and sheer numbers WILL bring about change. SOON.

It is unethical NOT to take action against the expansion.

we need a positive change in the way we live and act towards each other and our planet if we are going to move into a sustainable future for those who will come after us when we are gone.

Our sense of self preservation must compel us to stop expansion of an industry that fuels water shortages through climate change, uses scarce water for its operations, and also causes direct physical damage to our streams and aquifers.

Happy to do non-arrestable direct action and legal support for those who do wish to get arrested.

For my daughter Alice.

I will join direct actions on climate change for my 3 children, for all our children's future. Our Governments are addicted to coal and the cure is people power.

action to stop climate chaos is not going to come from above.
its going to come from us.
abajo y la izquierda...

The possible consequences of taking action is far outweighed by the price the earth and its people will pay if we don't.

Good on ya, Rising Tide

Contemplate a future world where, if they could manage it, carbon dioxide was storewd underground. 300 years from now, ie the sestimated life of coal reserves, we won't have done muchwork on renewable energy becasue coal is cheap and we have an awful lot of gas trapped undergroud, and it has to stay there forever. Any earth quake that lets it escape will kill all those nearby and give climate cahnage a hell of a spike.

Thanks for taking the initiative in organising this activity. Will invite friends and family along whenever possible.

Whilst not living near Newcastle I am still affected by the action. Well done on taking a stand.

fossil fuels are f-----g up the planet

Time to take action!!

We must develop sustainable energy systems. There is no future in the minig industry.
A healthy planet AND a healthy economy is achievable, but action is needed now.

Lets stop digging ourselves into a hole with coal. The deeper we dig the harder it is to get out!

I am keen to do non arrestable demonstrating, and hope we can still cause enough disturbance to halt this ridiculous coal mining pursuit!

I care about the future of our planet. This expansion does not. So as a citizen of the planet, I will act.

goodonyas !

I've had enough of this unsustainable bullshit!

Not much else to say then: stop!!

Coal should remain buried not burnt.

Cooporations now have more power than governments, I will not sit back and allow, this insane evironmental disaster to continue without a fight, the people are becomming pawns for these giant companies, they tell you its about jobs, does not renewable energy create jobs, lasting jobs rewarding jobs that benifit mankind for generations to come, truth is coal is about quick profits.

People powered renewable energy fueled futures

yay!

Outrageous. The Labor Party try to put themselves forward as the party taking the lead on climate change while constantly sucking up to the coal industry. It's time to show them we are not fooled.

Decentralised Renewables!!!

you are doing great work

Sad that it has come to this but people power can work and must do so in this case

You cannot tackle climate change without tackling coal. I'm up for giving our politicians a hand in aligning the action to the rhetoric!!!!!

I dont know whether or not coal burning is causing global warming. But if it is by taking precautions is no more than basic common sense insurance. Further and a certainty, is that coal deposits are finite and thus alternative energy sources to replace coal will be needed in the near future.

Glad to have a new lead in the fight!

NSW must lead Australia in taking direct action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions now. One of the primary ways to do this is to a) halt all expansion of the coal industry including power stations, mining and export, b) phase out the use of coal with measurable targets committed to by state and federal government each year c) create structural adjustment legislation, regulation, policy and action d) fund research, development AND venture capital investment in commercial scale renewable technology in the areas affected by the downsizing and phasing out of the coal industry.

In order for the domestic campaign to lower emmissions to have a reasonable chance, industry must make similar efforts to downscale emmissions. Thankyou for greening our environment.

I find it a slap in the face by the Iemma state Labor party to the public outcry to halt the expansion of this most destructive industry to the health and well being of the planet. This crime will be felt at the ballot box. Labor be it State or Federal is not fit to govern through these sensitive environmental times . We just cannot trust you. Our true economy is the health of this land. You have assisted Barrick Gold to ravage Lake Cowal. YOU are held accountable for the destruction of our wetlands and forests which produce the quality of water and air on this planet. Stop this sell out to greedy corporate development. Time to educate yourselves and slow down the train hurtling full speed towards a brick wall.

Benny Zable

I have major concerns with regard to greenhouse impacts, to the destruction of our natural environment, to the blind influence of money corrupting the process and ultimately to the irreparable damage that will be unleashed on my family’s beautiful home town. All because of greed.

NCIGs supposedly independent EIS basically categorises more than 6 hectares of mangroves as a natural pest and therefore needs to be removed. Instead, we are expected to believe that a 500 metre wide turning berth for the coal ships is a much better option for our environment.

And on page ES-34 of the report the phrase "... a financial contribution would be made..." is used no less than 6 times. Then Frank Sartor comes out and declares it a totally independent process.

And then, the report gives no consideration on the long term social impact on our region as a result of doubling our dependency on coal exports over the next decade. What will happen when it all ends suddenly as it is likely going to have to with our current leadership in denial?

Best Case? With Newcastle currently more than 90% reliant on the coal export industry and not likely to change, there is better than good chance for major suffering of Novocastrians beyond anything previously experienced. Rio and BHP will fly off into the sunset with their pockets full of gold leaving the massive mess for us to sort out. I am sure that they will make a financial contribution here and there.

And then there are other less obvious impacts on our society such as the brain drain resulting from the situation where other alternate/renewable businesses cannot compete salary–wise with the Rios and BHPs. So there is a drain on the community of many of our best and brightest, bought out by the massive budgets of the fossil fuel industry.

And I haven’t even spoken of climate change.

Like I have said, I am very concerned now. And more so for our children who have no say.

So it is up to us.

Keep up the good work. Labor cannot be serious about protecting the environment and reducing global warming while they support the expansion of the coal mining industry.
Green voters take note and let Kevin Rudd amd Morris Iemma know your views.

At some point humanity has to see the absurdity of corporate actions delivered to us in glossy clichés with belligerent apathy. Some see it already and may our celebratory actions speak louder that destructive rhetoric.

keep up the good work

Climate Change is an opportunity to plan and act responsively for future generations. There is excellent economic benefits to renewables and well prepared trading schemes.
We only lack Government support. My Children need a voice for their future...

Australia must do its bit to decrease CO2 emissions. If we are to contain the global temperature increase to under 2.4°C, CO2 emissions must peak by 2015 and decrease by 85% by 2050.

Bloody good on youse - top work

Yay! Stop the new coal loader!

Change only happens when we make it happen. That means confronting power directly and not co-operating with it and resisting non-violently.

Will be so happy to contribute in any way to the awesome work you guys are doing!

The new sliver cell photovoltaic technology (solar power cells) is almost ready to go. It is cheaper, flexible and more efficient than current solar technology. We can make millions exporting this to China instead of coal. This is a viable export alternative.

Please show some intelligence, set an honourable example and give a damn about the future. No new coal mines. Make Australia proud

Its time for people in this country to stand up and demand proper action now for the sake of all life on this beautiful Island in space we all live on. ITS TIME FOR THOSE WHO WONT TO STAND ASIDE.

Go for it Rising Tide! Totally sick of the lack of real action on these issues by the major parties.

Solar thermal power (eg 'Solar Two') at Barstow California could easily supply all of Australia's baseload power, wind turbines integrated with compressed air energy storage systems could also supply our baseload power, both would be cheaper than coal or uranium power. Algae farms (terrestrial) could supply all of our fuels(carbon neutral) until nitrous oxide creating internal combustion engines are phased out (could be done within 20 years - easily). Thank you all for the good work, where does the march against the new coal loaders start? Some of us are travelling down from Armidale tomorrow for the protest. Have a good day!

We only have one earth, one planet in the giant universe that can sustain life - this life on earth is unique! So, why do humans want to destroy it all, and is quickly as they possibly can?

I want my kids to live in Lemon Tree Passage, but if we don't do something now it will be under water.

JUST STARTED UP A WIND TURBINE ASSOCIATION HERE ON THE MID NORTH COAST TO PROMOTE THE GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY FROM WIND. THERE IS A LOT OF INTEREST.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU PLAN A BIG DEMONSTRATION AND I WILL TELL PEOPLE IN THIS AREA ABOUT THE ACTION.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
CHEERS
MICHAEL

Climate change is the most important material problem in the world today. This is sheer lunacy. The short term thinking and lack of leadership from our 'leaders' is disgusting. They have known about climate change for so long but chosen to ignore it and indeed thwarted every attempt to address the issue for their own petty ends. As an engineer if I behaved that way towards my clients I'd quite rightly be sued. When is someone going to stand up for the rights of my children and my children's children? What's to be their inheritance?

Here we are engaged on a once-only experiment with the planet that supports us. Does anyone know the result? No. Why would you do such a thing? It's the only planet we've got. Will someone please stop the experiment!

I met some of you at the Switched on Conference in Katoomba and your story is really exciting and inspiring. Keep up the good work and hopefully I can make the trip soon to help on an action.

We will come from all over Australia to help the people of Newcastle.

Newcastle has great potential as a renewable energy centre for Australia. I would like to see newcastle stop doing what it has always done and instead take some bold leadership and do something really positive for the community, the environment and the world.

A great initiative where local action will have global consequences. All the best. Stand strong in the face of government bastardry!!

lets do it

There are so many better alternatives; if we are to have a future, coal must stay in the ground!

Politicians have missed their chance to lead this movement.

No to mass expansion of coal mining and shipments. Cannot be sustained. Will lead to severe degredation of Hunter Valley (and beyond) water and agricultural assets.

"They" look no further than "their" own noses.
Pocketbooks, immediate gratification.
Hope this does some good. That's for sure.
Thanks for the opportunity you have given the people.

Rudd, Wong,Garrett and the ALP have sadly shown that despite a change in government, profit still speaks louder than environmental risk and degradation. One day they'll pull their heads out of the sand and the damage their lack of action has wrought. They won't act, but we have to, now, to stop coal mining and reign in climate change.

Support you 100% just dont encourage vandalism of personal private property

I would like to remain as anonymous as possible. call it a bad case of anarchist-paranoia or what you will but I dont want my details distributed in any way; so please dont include on membership lists to lobby government.
Would love to be involved in grass-roots direct action though.

What can I do to assist your cmapaign,moving up from Canberra I was amazed at the big holes left in the ground from all the coal mining around muswellbrook etc,not to mention a lake(cant remember the name) but you cant fish or swim and the smell....opposite those power stations,its not good.

No new coal

I went on the just tranmsitions tourand have been motivated to write over 60 letters over Christmas to State and federal MPs. I've started to get some replies including a very poitive one from Clover Moore MP for Sydney about how the NSW Govt is addicted to coal revenue and how she would support a robust community action on coal. I feel a single minded focus on this issue as well as the renewables alternative should be the focus for 2010 Climate camp. I support and applaud direct action but am also keen to work on the diplomativ front of persuading people in power both parliamentary and business.
On the Hunter Valley tour I noticed that each local group was very focuissed on their valley, river or mine and the big picture of climate change was less often mentioned. Is rising tide working to get all these groups to speak with one voice? The disjunction between city activisit and regional people also needs to be worked on in my opinion. While on holiday in Melbouren I have done some volunteer work with Beyond Zero Emissions. They sound keen to get a Sydney group started and I think their positive message backed up by a wealth of up to date reporting on technology is a great asset and wondered if there is anything like that in Newcastle? They have two monthy discussion groups in Fitzroy(Melb) with a speaker or Skype speaker to get the ball rolling. I am thinking that something like this format in Sydney and Newcastel would help underpin the direct action. If you let me know who to contact I will send your PO adress copies of letters from MPs as I receive them.
What approach do you suggest for taking on the coal comapnies? So far taking them to court seems to be the only contact they have with the climate movement but surely there is also room for dialogue. BZE gets its radio show into mining towns and apparently they have often got interested rreplies from managers and engineers because thet have such a technology focus.
What do you think?
Vivien

We live in a sundrenched country....why do we need to dig for coal.....go solar or wind power.
Why do we continue to dig for coal for export. This is de facto contributing to pollution of the planet.
It is a no brainer.