More than 55,000 people have urged Mr Turnbull to put this season’s Japanese whale hunt at the top of his agenda when meeting with Mr Abe on Friday.  

Greenpeace Australia Pacific, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), GetUp, and the Australian Marine Conservation Society, representing some 56,000 citizens who have petitioned the PM, delivered their message to Mr Turnbull’s office today.

A 3m inflated whale waited with its luggage on Sydney harbour for Mr Turnbull with a sign reading “Malcolm, don’t forget me” before campaigners handed over the petition at the his electoral office in Edgecliff.  

“Japan’s hunt is not scientific research, it’s nothing more than commercial whaling, and it’s been declared illegal by the International Court of Justice,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific Oceans campaigner, Nathaniel Pelle.

“When Mr Turnbull visits Japan, he must remind Mr Abe that Japan should accept the jurisdiction of the ICJ, as it promised, and abandon the whale hunt.”   

“While Japan thumbs its nose at international law, 333 whales will suffer a cruel and pointless death this summer for science nobody respects and products nobody needs; Prime Minister Turnbull must be the voice of all  Australians who abhor this unnecessary slaughter when he travels to Japan,” said Matthew Collis, Policy and Campaigns Manager at IFAW.

 "Australia is a major trading partner of Japan's. Today, 56,0000 Australians call on Prime Minister Turnbull to use his unique position of influence to demand an end to illegal commercial whaling in the Southern Ocean," said Sally Rugg, Campaigns Director at GetUp!

“Prime Minister Turnbull must tell the Prime Minister of Japan to listen to the courts, to listen to the scientists and to bring back the fleet. He must leave no doubt that Australia will not watch from the sidelines whilst Japan once again hunts Antarctic whales in breach of international law. Australia has stood up to Japan before, they must act again to challenge Japanese whaling,” said Kate Simpson, Campaigner at the Australian Marine Conservation Society.

In 2014, the ICJ ruled that Japan’s research whaling program was not, in fact, designed for scientific research and was therefore illegal.  Japan, however, proposed a new program called “NEWREP-A” which would target 3,996 minke whales over next 12 years.

In May 2015, the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission stated that the new programme “contained insufficient information” and demanded that the Japanese government provide more information to prove the new programme was serving scientific purposes.

Despite promising that it would abide by its decision, in October 2015 the Japanese government announced to the United Nations that it would no longer accept the jurisdiction of the ICJ over its use of ocean resources. This is a significant reversal of the Japanese government’s previous position, which had accepted and endorsed the need to abide by international law and legal findings.

ENDS

Greenpeace Australia Pacific activists today presented Mr Lynham’s office with a giant pair of scissors to help him dispatch the Federal Government’s dredging approval paperwork if it lands on his desk.

“This is sheer madness,” said Shani Tager, Greenpeace reef campaigner. “Cut it out,  Mr Lynham. The Queensland Labor Government promised not to go ahead with any dredging of Abbot Point if the Carmichael mine had not achieved financial closure. Don’t slice up your political credibility. It’s time to protect the Reef.”

The proposed dredging at Abbot Point in Queensland is to make way for a coal port to service Adani’s massive Carmichael coal mine, which is yet to receive investment support because of the financial risk it poses amidst sliding coal prices.

“Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt and the government are living in an alternate reality if they truly believe that dredging 61 hectares of untouched marine habitat won’t have far-reaching environmental impacts,” said Ms Tager.

“A muddy plume of sediment will be made from disturbing this area. It will affect nearby reefs and could spread over kilometres to the Great Barrier Reef marine park. It’s like throwing fistfuls of dirt into a fish tank and saying everything will be okay.

“The Reef is is likely to suffer coral bleaching [1] in the wake of this season’s predicted El Nino event, set to be one of the three strongest on record. Anyone can see that industrial activity like dredging is like putting a target on this world heritage area.

“The recently-concluded Paris agreement on climate change signalled clearly that the fossil fuel era is ending, so pushing ahead with the Carmichael coal mine is a total act of folly.

“The Queensland government must stick to its election promise and hold off on any work at Abbot Point, since Adani still doesn’t have the $16 billion in finances it needs for this project,” said Ms Tager.

ENDS 

1. http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/visit-the-reef/current-conditions-on-the-great-barrier-reef/latest-overview-of-current-conditions-on-the-reef

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt issued the approval today for the dredging in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area to service the proposed Carmichael mine.

“This approval to dredge is not only irresponsible for the reef, it’s illogical and it’s unnecessary,” said Greenpeace reef campaigner, Shani Tager.

“It’s illogical to expand the port to make capacity for the proposed Carmichael mine, because it is a dead-end prospect. Adani hasn’t got the $16 billion, no one’s lending it to them, and coal prices are tanking. Even the International Energy Agency is questioning the project,” she said.

“Queensland Labor promised at the last election not to proceed with Abbot Point unless the Carmichael mine achieved financial closure. The mine has not found any backers, and the IEA has declared it is not likely to be operational by 2020, if ever.”

Ms Tager said revelations on Friday that Queensland government’s own environmental impact statement for the works failed to factor in an additional 100,000 tonnes of seafloor dredging showed how damaging it would be to proceed.

“If the Queensland government’s own EIS for the expansion failed to consider this extra dredging for a secret tugboat harbour, it means Mr Hunt might have failed to do his job and we will closely scrutinise the legality of this approval,” she said.

The Abbot Point area to be dredged is home to dolphins and dugongs, which rely on the seagrass there for food. It is also a habitat for endangered marine life like turtles and giant manta rays, and is in the path of migrating humpback whales.

“It is reckless and pointless to gouge away at a pristine habitat and endanger the Great Barrier Reef to build a port for a coal mine that nobody needs.

“Dredging 61 hectares of untouched marine habitat is irresponsible enough, but doing it for a dirty big coal mine that would only worsen greenhouse pollution that is already endangering the Reef is simply negligent,” she said.

The Great Barrier Reef has already lost 50 percent of its coral over the past 30 years and is being weakened by the effects of climate change [1]. Its fragility has been recognised by the United Nations World Heritage Committee, which has a watching brief on the Reef’s health.

"Australia went into these talks with an embarrassing emissions target that came from the fossil fuel lobby and its influence on government energy policies.

"The thing most in our favour on the international stage was that Tony Abbott was no longer leading our country.

"It's time for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to shake off the climate policy hangover left by Tony Abbott and his band of climate deniers, and face a new day.

"Discussions at COP21 confirmed that investors globally are leery of being exposed to the financial risk now associated with fossil fuel assets.

"In Australia, we've seen the major banks backing away from fossil fuel investments. Yet the government continues with its increasingly desperate campaign to convince us that coal is good for humanity.

"Their dogged attempt to push through the massive Carmichael coal mine in the face of ever-sliding coal prices bucks global trends and sentiment about moving away from dirty fossil fuels.

"There was recognition in Paris that a global energy system based on renewables is the foundation for climate action going forward.

"We already have the technology to make a full transition to renewable energy in Australia, but much more political courage is needed to phase out fossil fuels and commit ourselves to a sunny future. Without this vision, Australians will be left behind in the global economy.

"The government must demonstrate its commitment to change with more policies to support development of the renewables industry, and set firm targets for the phase-in of renewables on a nationwide basis.

"Australia is now in a position to lead this shift, where it has been a laggard in other respects on climate change."

“With the end of this treaty, Pacific nations have the power and opportunity to negotiate for more equitable access to their fish stocks, and to end the overfishing that threatens many tuna populations,” said Lagi Toribau, Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s global tuna campaigner.

“The tuna treaty has been problematic from an environmental standpoint, and needed to be reviewed. The tuna industry is out of control and US-flagged boats have not been exempt from wrongdoing, including the illegal use of destructive fishing gear,” he said.

The US State Department announced this week it is withdrawing from the South Pacific Tuna Treaty, which has been in effect since 1988. The treaty secured access to tuna fishing grounds in the territorial waters of Pacific Island nations for US-flagged vessels. In recent years, Pacific Island nations have pressed for higher access fees to their waters, which has made renegotiation of the treaty difficult.

Toribau said Greenpeace was concerned about the roughly 6,000 days  allocated for fishing vessels each year that Pacific nations had already set aside for the US fleet to fish, which will be reallocated with the treaty’s demise.

“The treaty secured almost unfettered access for the US to Pacific fishing grounds, and the relatively low access fees it paid Pacific nations were vastly out of step with the profit being made from Pacific tuna stocks.

“We can expect that other nations that fish in Pacific waters, such as China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and those from the European Union, will now be vying for those days, which are valued at roughly US$68 million.

“Pacific countries need to work swiftly to manage expectations around  other countries having access to these fishing days, as well as US companies that will seek bilateral access with key Pacific countries.

“These fishing powers all have questionable records of compliance, and for years have blocked efforts to make fishing more sustainable, end illegal and inequitable fishing, and uphold fair labour conditions for people in the industry.

“Pacific Island nations now have a chance to negotiate deals that will ensure sustainable fishing that will benefit Their communities,” said Mr Toribau.

ENDS

Brands such as The North Face, Patagonia, Mammut, Columbia and Haglofs keep using PFCs to make their gear waterproof despite their claims of sustainability and love for nature, a new Greenpeace report reveals. [1] The report “Leaving Traces. The hidden hazardous chemicals in outdoor gear” was presented today at a press conference at ISPO Munich, the biggest outdoor trade show in Europe. [2] 

Greenpeace tested 40 products purchased in 19 different countries and regions. Hazardous PFCs were not only found in clothing but also in shoes, tents, backpacks, ropes and even in sleeping bags. Only in four items were no PFCs detected. Although most of the brands tested claim publicly that they are no longer using the most hazardous long-chain PFCs, they were still found in high concentrations in 18 items. [3]

“We found high levels of PFOA, a long-chain PFC that is linked to a number of health effects, including cancer, in some products from The North Face and Mammut. This substance is already restricted in Norway. These are disappointing results for outdoor lovers who want their clothes to be as sustainable and clean as the places they explore“ said Mirjam Kopp, Greenpeace’s Detox Outdoor project leader.

PFCs are chemical compounds that don’t exist in nature. Once released in the environment many of them degrade very slowly and enter the food chain, making pollution almost irreversible.  They have been found in very remote areas of the planet [4], in animals like dolphins and in polar bears’ livers and even in human blood.

“Brands like The North Face and Mammut are not walking their talk of love and respect for nature when it comes to the chemicals they use in the production chain. Together with the outdoor community, we challenge them to show us what true leadership and respect for nature means: stop using hazardous chemicals and detox their gear now” added Kopp.

In recent years, many outdoor brands have started switching from long chain to short chain PFCs, claiming that these are better alternatives. But recently, more than 200 scientists from 38 countries signed the 'Madrid statement' [5] which recommends avoiding the use of PFCs – including short chain – for the production of consumer products, including textiles.

While major outdoor brands are still highly dependent on hazardous chemicals, UK brand Páramo Directional Clothing today announced its commitment to Detox [6]. Páramo is the first brand in the outdoor sector that has already eliminated PFC from its entire production chain, showing that high-performance PFCs-free gear is possible and setting the highest standard within the sector. The UK brand joins 34 international fashion and sports brands already committed to Detox.

“We are convinced that the outdoor community really has the leverage to be a game-changer in the industry and we are calling on the brands to accept the challenge to detox their customers are asking for,“ concluded Kopp.

This is the first product testing from Greenpeace that was designed in collaboration with a community of supporters and outdoor lovers. More than 30.000 votes were collected on http://detox-outdoor.org/, and Greenpeace sent the 40 most-voted products to the lab.

Notes:

[1] Poly- and per-fluorinated compounds, (or PFCs) are used in many industrial processes and consumer products. The outdoor industry in particular is an important user, since it applies PFCs to make products waterproof and dirt-repellent. Once released into the environment, many PFCs are broken down very slowly; they remain in the environment for many years and are dispersed across the entire planet. Some PFCs may cause harm to reproduction, promote the growth of tumours and affect the hormone system.

[2] http://detox-outdoor.org/assets/uploads/Report_Product_Testing.pdf

[3] https://medium.com/@DetoxOutdoor/pfc-quest-results-694e5f62902d#.g7n44ezcu

[4] “Footprints in the Snow” report, http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/publications/Campaign-reports/Toxics-reports/Footprints-in-the-Snow/

[5]http://greensciencepolicy.org/madrid-statement/

[6] http://www.paramo-clothing.com/blog/de-de/paramo-detox-commitment/

“Environment Minister Steven Miles was elected on the promise of protecting the Reef, but just one year later, he’s picked coal over coral. It’s a short-sighted and, frankly, absurd decision,”  said Shani Tager, Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s Reef Campaigner.

“This environmental authority waves through a project that threatens the health of the Great Barrier Reef, which is already suffering from climate change and pollution.

“As Australia’s largest coal mine, Carmichael will add to the global warming that is threatening the Reef. It will mean expanding Abbot Point port, dredging in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, and sending more ships through this delicate ecosystem,” she said.

Despite state and federal government support for the mine, the $16 billion Carmichael project has attracted no financial backers in the last six years as investors look elsewhere for returns. The proponent, Adani, does not have the money and 14 international banks have stated they will not fund it.

“With the global coal market plummeting and countries like China, the US and even Vietnam phasing out new coal mines, the Queensland Government should be creating a transition plan for coal workers, not backing a dead-end project like Carmichael.

“The Australian department of environment acknowledges that the Reef provides employment for more than 69,000 people. On the other hand, Adani has been caught overstating the job numbers, royalties and tax from the project in the Land Court of Queensland.

“The mining industry has lost 40,000 jobs since 2012-13, according to BIS Shrapnel’s Mining in Australia 2015-2030 report. It also predicts a further 20,000 jobs to go in the next three years. It’s not a growth industry for employment,” said Ms Tager.

If it ever got to full production, the 28,000ha Carmichael coal mine would put 121 million tonnes of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere each year and ship 60 million tonnes of coal directly through the heart of the Reef. The mine could also wipe out a globally significant population of the endangered black-throated finch.

ENDS

Activists wearing only cardboard boxes bearing the slogan ‘Better this than PFC gear’ highlighted the company’s use of dangerous chemicals called poly- and per-fluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in The North Face products. Hi-res photographs available here.

 Greenpeace campaigner Lagi Toribau said: “We looked for North Face waterproof products that don’t pollute the environment but couldn’t find any, so we made do with these boxes.

 “We’re all lovers of the outdoors, and it’s awful to think that by pitching a tent or wearing a jacket made by The North Face, you can be contributing to pollution.

“A company that claims to love the outdoors so much must play their part in protecting it – not polluting it with hazardous chemicals which contaminate even the most remote parts of the world and have been found in water supplies and the food chain.

“As a leading brand, The North Face can help lead the way in cleaning up outdoor clothing by eliminating dangerous chemicals from their products.”

Greenpeace activists targeted three stores: In Sydney, activists hit The North Face’s flagship Pitt Street store in Sydney and another The North Face store in Westfield in Bondi Junction. In Melbourne, activists targeted The North Face store in Bourke Street.

The demonstrations are a part of more than 100 actions taking place at The North Face and Mammut stores around the world this week after Greenpeace revealed that the companies widely use hazardous per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in their products.

As reported widely last week, per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) were recently found to be widespread in the use of outdoor products1. PFCs are synthetic chemical compounds which have been found to pollute even the most pristine and remote parts of the environment2, and have been detected in water supplies, the food chain and human blood. They are associated with cancer and have been found to cause harm to reproductive and hormonal systems. Last year more than 200 scientists from 38 countries signed the Madrid statement3 recommending avoiding PFCs in consumer goods.

"Australia went into these talks with an embarrassing emissions target that came from the fossil fuel lobby and its influence on government energy policies.

"The thing most in our favour on the international stage was that Tony Abbott was no longer leading our country.

"It's time for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to shake off the climate policy hangover left by Tony Abbott and his band of climate deniers, and face a new day.

"Discussions at COP21 confirmed that investors globally are leery of being exposed to the financial risk now associated with fossil fuel assets.

"In Australia, we've seen the major banks backing away from fossil fuel investments. Yet the government continues with its increasingly desperate campaign to convince us that coal is good for humanity.

"Their dogged attempt to push through the massive Carmichael coal mine in the face of ever-sliding coal prices bucks global trends and sentiment about moving away from dirty fossil fuels.

"There was recognition in Paris that a global energy system based on renewables is the foundation for climate action going forward.

"We already have the technology to make a full transition to renewable energy in Australia, but much more political courage is needed to phase out fossil fuels and commit ourselves to a sunny future. Without this vision, Australians will be left behind in the global economy.

"The government must demonstrate its commitment to change with more policies to support development of the renewables industry, and set firm targets for the phase-in of renewables on a nationwide basis.

"Australia is now in a position to lead this shift, where it has been a laggard in other respects on climate change."

“Last year, Mr Baird committed to a world’s best-practice container deposit recycling system by 2017. Now Coke is lobbying hard to get him to break his promise by choosing its own plan, which won’t solve our enormous litter problem,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific campaigner, Nathaniel Pelle.

Mimicking signature Coke ads, the Greenpeace video shows a beach strewn with some of the more than 40 million bottles and cans that are littered in NSW over summer.

“Best-practice container deposit systems are the only recycling plans proven to work. A successful system, which returns 10c to consumers or community groups for every bottle or can recycled, has been used in South Australia for 30 years and practically eliminated drink bottle litter.

“In NSW, drink containers make up at least 44 per cent of all litter. Globally, the equivalent of a garbage truck load of plastic ends up in the ocean every minute - that’s eight million tonnes a year - and the rate is rising. It’s choking our seas, and killing birds and marine life.

“We cannot have a fizzy drinks company dictating our waste policy or blocking effective solutions to a major global pollution problem,” said Pelle.

• At least 160 million drink containers are littered in NSW every year
• South Australia has a 10c container deposit system that achieves 80% recycling rates, around double the rate in other states.
• Drink containers make up at least 44% of all litter in NSW but only 2.2% in South Australia.
• 8 million tonnes of plastic waste enters the ocean every year
• Between a third and a quarter of global marine debris is beverage industry-related.

Coca-Cola has a history of fighting container deposit schemes around the world. In 2013, it spent thousands of dollars lobbying the Northern Territory government - ultimately going to court - to fight the introduction of a similar scheme.

The NSW Government is currently inviting the public to make submissions on litter policy, and is set to choose between the container deposit system Premier Baird promised, and Coke’s alternative, within months.

“Everyone who wants clean beaches and parks should let their local MP know we want the recycling plan the NSW government promised, not the watered-down scheme that Coke is pushing for,” said Pelle.

Greenpeace, Clean Up Australia, The Total Environment Centre and 30 other community groups are working together as the Boomerang Alliance to ensure NSW gets the promised world’s best-practice container deposit legislation.

Consumers can visit stoptrashingaustralia.com to tell their MP that they want a 10c refund on their containers.

ENDS

“This is not the bottom of an economic cycle that Anglo American can turn around, this is a report from a company suffering within an entire industry that is in structural decline.

“The low coal price is set to last for years, offering no way out for coal mining companies like Anglo American, which are staring into a black hole. [1]

“Results such as these serve to confirm that there’s no future left for coal mining in Australia. Rather than propping up a failing industry, the focus now has to be on making sure that the people left working in mines can be retrained so they can still work and support their families when these mines are sold or shut down.”

Anglo American today posted a $5.6bn pre-tax net loss for 2015 and announced plans to speed up its asset disposal program.

Yesterday, ratings agency Moody’s downgraded Anglo American’s credit rating to junk. The status dropped three notches to (P)Ba3 from (P)Baa3. [2]

“The junk rating is a signal to policymakers as well as investors to distance themselves from a failing company heavily exposed to an industry in structural decline. Anglo American is the first to see its credit rating cut to below investment grade, but it certainly won’t be the last.

“Malcolm Turnbull has already acknowledged that the end of the mining boom always had to happen so Australia now needs to start its plan B and start planning for a future and economy without coal mining,” said Dr Casule. [3]

Last week the Queensland Resources Council requested emergency financial relief from the Queensland and federal governments ahead of dire projections for the mining industry. [4]

“The mining industry is now crying out for a bailout from taxpayers on top of the $4.5bn it already pockets every year in subsidies – but it doesn’t pay its fair share of tax, has shed 40,000 workers since 2012 and is expected to make 20,000 more people redundant next year. [5][6]

“Taxpayers should not foot the bill for the industry’s forecasting failure. It’s beyond time that state and federal governments put an end to fossil fuel subsidies and drive a transition plan that helps people retrain for jobs in the industries of the future.”

"Australia went into these talks with an embarrassing emissions target that came from the fossil fuel lobby and its influence on government energy policies.

"The thing most in our favour on the international stage was that Tony Abbott was no longer leading our country.

"It's time for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to shake off the climate policy hangover left by Tony Abbott and his band of climate deniers, and face a new day.

"Discussions at COP21 confirmed that investors globally are leery of being exposed to the financial risk now associated with fossil fuel assets.

"In Australia, we've seen the major banks backing away from fossil fuel investments. Yet the government continues with its increasingly desperate campaign to convince us that coal is good for humanity.

"Their dogged attempt to push through the massive Carmichael coal mine in the face of ever-sliding coal prices bucks global trends and sentiment about moving away from dirty fossil fuels.

"There was recognition in Paris that a global energy system based on renewables is the foundation for climate action going forward.

"We already have the technology to make a full transition to renewable energy in Australia, but much more political courage is needed to phase out fossil fuels and commit ourselves to a sunny future. Without this vision, Australians will be left behind in the global economy.

"The government must demonstrate its commitment to change with more policies to support development of the renewables industry, and set firm targets for the phase-in of renewables on a nationwide basis.

"Australia is now in a position to lead this shift, where it has been a laggard in other respects on climate change."

Activists wearing only cardboard boxes bearing the slogan ‘Better this than PFC gear’ highlighted the company’s use of dangerous chemicals called poly- and per-fluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in The North Face products. Hi-res photographs available here.

 Greenpeace campaigner Lagi Toribau said: “We looked for North Face waterproof products that don’t pollute the environment but couldn’t find any, so we made do with these boxes.

 “We’re all lovers of the outdoors, and it’s awful to think that by pitching a tent or wearing a jacket made by The North Face, you can be contributing to pollution.

“A company that claims to love the outdoors so much must play their part in protecting it – not polluting it with hazardous chemicals which contaminate even the most remote parts of the world and have been found in water supplies and the food chain.

“As a leading brand, The North Face can help lead the way in cleaning up outdoor clothing by eliminating dangerous chemicals from their products.”

Greenpeace activists targeted three stores: In Sydney, activists hit The North Face’s flagship Pitt Street store in Sydney and another The North Face store in Westfield in Bondi Junction. In Melbourne, activists targeted The North Face store in Bourke Street.

The demonstrations are a part of more than 100 actions taking place at The North Face and Mammut stores around the world this week after Greenpeace revealed that the companies widely use hazardous per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in their products.

As reported widely last week, per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) were recently found to be widespread in the use of outdoor products1. PFCs are synthetic chemical compounds which have been found to pollute even the most pristine and remote parts of the environment2, and have been detected in water supplies, the food chain and human blood. They are associated with cancer and have been found to cause harm to reproductive and hormonal systems. Last year more than 200 scientists from 38 countries signed the Madrid statement3 recommending avoiding PFCs in consumer goods.

The data, released by China’s National Bureau of Statistics this week, show that the fall in the nation’s coal consumption and CO2 emissions continued for a second year in a row in 2015. The 3.7 per cent percent decline in coal consumption was equal to Japan’s total coal consumption for the same period. [1] China accounts for around half of the world’s demand for coal. Australian thermal coal exports to China were down 28.5 per cent in 2015. [2]

“These numbers are yet another nail in coal’s coffin. It’s no longer economically or environmentally sensible for the government to prop up the Australian thermal coal industry,” said Nikola Casule, Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s climate and energy campaigner.

“The market for coal is shrinking, the price of coal has plummeted and Australia has to fulfil its commitment from the Paris climate talks to limit global warming to 1.5C, which requires keeping coal in the ground.

“Yet Australian taxpayers are subsidising an industry that is in structural decline and they are not getting a good deal for the billions of dollars that are being spent. The longer Australia is in this game, the more Australia is going to lose – in jobs, in taxpayer money and in its international reputation,” said Dr Casule.

The drop in China’s coal consumption follows news that the Mount Arthur coal mine, the largest thermal coal export mine in the Hunter Valley, has been declared at risk of closure. The mine, operated by BHP Billiton, is struggling to turn a profit since coal prices have plummeted. [3]  Anglo American also recently announced it was selling all of its Australian coal mines after posting a $5.6bn loss. [4]

“Australia can’t keep throwing good money after bad on this dying industry. We need to invest in life after coal. We need new jobs and new training opportunities for miners so that people can still work after the last mine has fired its workers and closed down,” said Dr Casule.

Level 1 bleaching categorisation is for widespread but minor bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef.

“Last month the Queensland environment minister Steven Miles granted environmental authority for the Carmichael mega coal mine. Today the reef is bleaching. This government cannot continue down the path of approving new coal mines,” said Shani Tager, Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s Reef Campaigner.

“Scientists are adamant. We can have a coal industry or we can have a healthy reef, we cannot have both.

“Our reef is on the brink. We know reefs can recover from bleaching but only in the right conditions. Dredging at Abbot Point to expand the coal port, and any industrialisation of the reef coast, must be ruled out to give our reef the best chance of recovery.

“We’re in the middle of the third ever global coral bleaching event. Bleaching on the Reef is considered minor for now but it’s stretching from Heron Island in the south to Lizard Island in the north and is a worrying sign of things to come with warming waters from climate change.

“As Australia’s largest coal mine, Carmichael will add to the global warming that is threatening the Reef. It will mean expanding Abbot Point port, dredging in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, and sending more ships through this delicate ecosystem,” she said.

If it ever got to full production, the 28,000ha Carmichael coal mine would put 121 million tonnes of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere each year, driving climate change and contributing to warmer sea waters, leading to more coral bleaching. It will also ship 60 million tonnes of coal directly through the heart of the Reef.   

ENDS

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority today announced it had detected highly variable but widespread coral bleaching across the already fragile reef ecosystem, prompting it to increase its surveys, particularly in areas experiencing the greatest heat stress.

They found severe bleaching on inshore reefs, along with moderate bleaching on mid-shelf reefs. Bleaching has been found in 23 percent of the GBRMPA’s reef surveys, mostly affecting corals that are highly sensitive.

“In the two weeks ago since the level 1 response plan began, the Queensland government has allowed some 8 million tonnes of coal to be exported straight through this delicate ecosystem. This coal will be burnt overseas, driving climate change, warming our oceans and contributing to coral bleaching,” said Shani Tager, Greenpeace Reef Campaigner.

“We already have the effects of El Nino driving this bleaching on the Reef. We can’t do anything about that, but we can stop activities that add to climate change. The last thing we want now is any industry that will further warm ocean waters and kill off swathes of our incredible Reef.”

The bleaching outlook is the worst for the pristine Northern Great Barrier Reef near Cape York, with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration last week putting it on its highest alert level because of ocean temperatures.

“We’re in the middle of the third global coral bleaching event, which is the longest such event ever recorded and has already impacted severely on coral reef systems in the Pacific.

“The Great Barrier Reef is on the brink of permanent damage. We know reefs can recover from bleaching, but only in the right conditions. Dredging at Abbot Point for a coal port, industrialisation of the reef’s coast and increases in coal exports must stop to give our reef the best chance of recovery.

“With warming waters threatening our greatest natural wonder, the government needs to decide whether they want a healthy reef or a coal industry. It’s clear we cannot have both,” said Ms Tager.

Activists wearing only cardboard boxes bearing the slogan ‘Better this than PFC gear’ highlighted the company’s use of dangerous chemicals called poly- and per-fluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in The North Face products. Hi-res photographs available here.

 Greenpeace campaigner Lagi Toribau said: “We looked for North Face waterproof products that don’t pollute the environment but couldn’t find any, so we made do with these boxes.

 “We’re all lovers of the outdoors, and it’s awful to think that by pitching a tent or wearing a jacket made by The North Face, you can be contributing to pollution.

“A company that claims to love the outdoors so much must play their part in protecting it – not polluting it with hazardous chemicals which contaminate even the most remote parts of the world and have been found in water supplies and the food chain.

“As a leading brand, The North Face can help lead the way in cleaning up outdoor clothing by eliminating dangerous chemicals from their products.”

Greenpeace activists targeted three stores: In Sydney, activists hit The North Face’s flagship Pitt Street store in Sydney and another The North Face store in Westfield in Bondi Junction. In Melbourne, activists targeted The North Face store in Bourke Street.

The demonstrations are a part of more than 100 actions taking place at The North Face and Mammut stores around the world this week after Greenpeace revealed that the companies widely use hazardous per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in their products.

As reported widely last week, per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) were recently found to be widespread in the use of outdoor products1. PFCs are synthetic chemical compounds which have been found to pollute even the most pristine and remote parts of the environment2, and have been detected in water supplies, the food chain and human blood. They are associated with cancer and have been found to cause harm to reproductive and hormonal systems. Last year more than 200 scientists from 38 countries signed the Madrid statement3 recommending avoiding PFCs in consumer goods.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority yesterday raised the reef’s coral bleaching threat level to 3, to the highest possible. The response was issued because of severe regional bleaching in the northern Great Barrier Reef.

“The pictures we’re seeing coming out of the northern Great Barrier Reef are devastating,” said Shani Tager Greenpeace Australia Pacific Reef Campaigner. “This is the most pristine, beautiful part of the Reef and some of the areas have lost 50% of their coral because of the warm waters. The Queensland and federal Governments must see this as a red alert and act accordingly.”

“Right now, Anthony Lynham, Queensland’s minister for natural resources and mines, is deciding whether to approve the Carmichael coal mine. The Queensland Government must stop acting in the interests of the coal industry and refuse the mining lease. The mining and burning of coal is driving climate change, warming our waters and bleaching the life and colour out of our Reef.

“The Reef is of the world’s greatest natural wonders, it’s beloved by Australians and people around the world, and is home for thousands of species. This is the highest warning possible for the Reef and it must be the line in the sand. Our Government’s addiction to the coal industry must be broken.

“Regardless of where it’s sold and sent, Australia coal will contribute to greenhouse gas pollution, and that will still fuel climate change.

“The best way of protecting our Reef from climate change, is to do everything we can to stop burning fossil fuels, which means leaving them in the ground. That means Carmichael must never be developed.”

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) put the Australian Government on notice in July last year, that it would review the status of the Reef in December 2016, to see if the Reef 2050 plan was satisfactorily protecting the World Heritage ecosystem.

“It’s patently obvious that the Australian Government’s plans are not protecting the Reef, as it suffers its worst bleaching episode in years,” said Ms Tager. “UNESCO will be watching the devastation to the Reef that is currently unfolding. We are seeing the the threat that climate change poses to the future of the Reef; a threat that the Australian Government has failed to address.”