Australia has just faced what is probably its most costly "natural" disaster. Tens of our fellow Australians have lost their lives and thousands have lost their homes and livelihoods.
Climate scientists have been telling us for years that as the Earth warms due to our greenhouse gas emissions we will experience ever worsening natural disasters, including droughts, bushfires and floods. We are seeing the impacts of climate change right now.
2010 was the equal hottest year on record and the wettest year on record. The last decade, 2001-2010 was by far the hottest decade on record. Despite this, our governments continue to encourage the expansion of the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions, the coal industry, while the coal industry itself continues to lobby against any real action to reduce emissions.
When will we face up to the reality of the climate crisis? How many more people need to die before the coal industry is held accountable by our governments?
Come along to this vigil to hold the coal industry to account, and in solidarity with the victims of the flooding demand action so that we don't keep losing lives in these disasters. We'll also be presenting a bill for damages to the coal industry from the taxpayers of Australia.