'The 2006 G20 meeting of finance ministers, reserve bank governors and heads of the World Bank took place at the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne, Australia, from November 17-19 2006.' (http://www.stopg20.org/)
This is what a Rising Tider said to a big rally on the day:
It's time to say we have had enough of being told that 'the end could be
nigh' by scientists, only to see our leaders jamming their foot on the
accelerator of a car that is already hurtling towards the cliff edge -
whilst they shout 'Trust me – I have your best interests at heart!'The Kyoto Protocol will only reduce emissions by less that 2% when
cuts of up to 80 - 90% are needed by developed countries like us.
Emissions per capita are now greater globally than they were at the
start of the Kyoto process. Look around you now in this city and
imagine 90% cuts and the changes we need to make.Renewables can go some of the way but we need to reduce the world's
energy use to stop the burning of fossil fuels.Kyoto is nothing more that distraction, a business deal disguised as an
environmental treaty. It's creating false hope as well as being a
payday for carbon traders and their like. Business is, and will, continue
as usual if we ask governments to sort this out!Market-based solutions like the carbon trading schemes that lie at the
heart of the Kyoto Protocol will make some people very rich while
turning the atmosphere into a giant commodity to be bought and sold
like barrels of oil by western traders, governments and corporations,
further deepening the world's already gaping imbalances of power and
in NO WAY reducing emissions!Nuclear power is NOT the answer...if you have any doubt take a trip up
the centre to Roxby downs Uranium mine or any of the places in the
northern territory where they are planning to dump the waste which
will be lethal for generations.. and in such an unstable world do we
ant more weapons grade materials crated? With nuclear power the
ability to control our own lives is still taken out of our hands.More that a hundred and fifty thousand people die every year directly
from the effects of climate change, a million species face extinction
by 2050. And we know it's going to get worse.As with other effects of capitalism, the effects of climate change
will be felt the strongest by those least equipped to deal with them.
hether those in the pacific islands like the Carterets forces from
their homes by rising sea levels or those in the sub-Saharan Africa
driven from their homes in search of water.Facts like this can all feel overwhelming. What is also overwhelming
is the power we have when we resist control & manipulation of the
corporations & the state and work together to bring about change.We are here today because we care, because we're angry! It is up to
US, not governments, to bring about change. Let's reclaim the power to
control our own lives and our planet's future from the puppet
governments, which time and again sell out to the highest bidder.If we are to solve this problem let's start creating our own solutions
in our own communities. And of course we must also tackle the current
system head on!Let's sent an urgent message to the G20's financial ministers – your
environmentally suicidal and socially unjust strategies will no longer
be tolerated!Around the world people are fighting for climate justice and to
dismantle the carbon industry before it dismantles us. Let's take
inspiration from communities, networks and groups around the world
resisting fossil fuels – and see how these communities are linking
together to form networks of resistance and solidarity.The Oilwatch network of groups in the global south who have pledged to
resist the oil industry's attempts to drill for yet more unwanted oil
and gas on their lands.Farmers in Mayo, Ireland resisting Shell building a gas pipeline
through their communities & linking their struggles with peoples in
Nigeria...The largest coal-fired power station in the UK Drax was blockaded this
year by a climate camp with international support and called by the
mainstream press the only 'sane people in the country'.The Navaho nation resisting Peabody Coal on indigenous lands.. are
linking up with Australians resisting coal mining here..Just over the Tasman in a place Happy Valley, a remote untouched
wilderness in New Zealand which a state owned company have approval to
mine for coal, people have been in occupation since January to
stop plans going ahead.These are just some examples.. and closer to home we have the biggest
coal port in the world in Newcastle and open cut coal mines up the
Hunter Valley & into the Gunnedh Basin that feeds it.. And for all the
governments talk about tackling the issue of climate change, they're
planning to double the export capacity of the world's largest coal port
and approve of still more coal mines.Just two days ago the NSW minister for planning, Frank Sartor,
wound back 25 years of Environmental Planning legislation just to avoid
having to assess the devastating impacts of the export coal industry
and the proposed Anvil Hill coal mine. And yet the government will have us
believe that they are serious about addressing climate change!It's clear that the governments, industries & finance ministers aren't
going to do anything to bring about real change, so it's up to us to
shut down the mines & oil wells, dismantle power stations & coal
infrastructure.We can start today by letting the finance ministers know what we think
of their authority.Governments only begin to get nervous when people start to have an
effect upon business as usual!Throughout history direct action has been used again and again to
triumph over injustice! This situation is unjust, and it's time to
fight! Fight in our own lives and in our communities, as individuals
and networks, and using tactics that show what we're capable of. And
by doing this we can begin to dismantle this catastrophic,
soul-destroying system, and begin to build a just and fossil fuel-free
future!(followed by a call to action at Anvil Hill if we have to start
blockading it real soon..)
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