Newtown residents – grandmother Elisabeth Drake, 70, and mother Janet Kossy, 67 – say they were pleased to be charged for the first time with criminal offences on Mother’s Day. The two women joined the Break Free 2016 action in Newcastle, the world’s largest coal port, from which coal exports have doubled over the last ten years. They were among well over 2,000 protesters on sea and land, many of whom had never before engaged in nonviolent direct action.
“Australia has the ability now to move from dirty coal and oil to renewable energy. The move will help not harm our economy, but if we don’t make this change within the next few crucial years, human life on this planet … will suffer incalculable harm. The poorest will be worst affected,” Ms Kossy said.
Ms Drake explained: “I had some concerns about participating in the action and risking arrest, however the absolute urgency of addressing climate change overrode everything else. I have two beautiful grandchildren, and my conscience demands that I do everything I can to bequeath them a healthy environment.”
On June 1, REN21 (Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century) published its 2016 Renewables Global Status Report – the most comprehensive annual review of the renewable energy sector globally. The report shows that last year Australia had the seventh highest number of solar PV systems installed globally – we now have one solar panel for every resident. It also reveals that 2015 broke the global record for renewable energy installations, and investment.
Likewise, the Clean Energy Australia 2015 report, also published early this month, shows: Renewable energy provided 14.6 per cent of Australia’s electricity in 2015 – enough to power 6.7 million homes; Wind and solar generation rose by more than 20 per cent; Rooftop solar power is now at 5 gigawatts capacity which is equivalent to a power station large enough to light up all the homes in Brisbane and Perth; Five new wind farms were built in 2015 as well as eight solar farms larger than 1 megawatt capacity; More than 14,000 people are employed in the renewable energy industry, which is still recovering from significant losses in the preceding few years.
Policies from governments at all levels that foster a rapid shift to renewable energy are imperative for mitigating climate change – including policies that curb the extraction and export of fossil fuels.
