The Rising Tide of Climate Lunacy By Viv Forbes

     A NSW judge (an ex-solicitor and activist from the Environmental Defenders Office) has stopped development of the small Rocky Hill coking coal mine because the Commonwealth Government has signed the Paris Climate agreement which requires “rapid and deep reduction in GHG emissions”. Two things are obvious. Firstly, this delusional decision must be appealed and overturned. Secondly, Australia must immediately withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. If this decision is not overturned, every development of coal, oil or gas in Australia can be challenged. But the ominous implications go much further. The sports and tourism industries should be fearful. These industries encourage millions of competitors, visitors, tourists, officials and politicians to use cars, trains, buses, planes and ships to burn hydro-carbon fuels purely for entertainment. Car racing is out, as are new cruise terminals, stadiums, resorts, high rise hotels and fireworks.

     Moreover, any new road, rail or airport development will add emissions and must be stopped along with any expansion of the grazing or timber industries and the brewing of beer. There are some good things – it should mark the end of tax-funded climate jamborees and study tours for politicians – they should stay in their electorates and conduct electronic meetings via their own expensive NBN. But if they can stop the mining of coking coal this will also stop metal smelting, refining and steel making. Naturally Adani can expect even more green law-fare barriers. This decision surely marks the high water mark of climate lunacy.