Lignite mining an 'intergenerational crime'

October 19th, 2012

Anthony and Rosemary at St Thomas Church auditorium this week

"Digging up lignite and burning it is an intergenerational crime," said Rosemary Penwarden of Coal Action Network Aotearoa and author of the publication Just Lignite.

Rosemary along with Anthony Dancer, the Anglican Social Justice Commissioner, presented a series of public meetings in Nelson, Motueka and Takaka this week, raising awareness of the effects of proposed lignite mining in Southland.

Projects to extract lignite via an open cast coal mine in Mataura, Southland is being developed by State-owned enterprise Solid Energy.

"If these go ahead they will increase New Zealand's carbon emissions by more than 20%, making Aotearoa's 'fair share' of action to lessen climate change impossible to achieve," said Rosemary. "Children who are two now, will bear the brunt of Climate change, what are we doing to our children's future?"

Arch Deacon Anthony Dancer said "At its core, global climate change is not about economic theory or political platforms. It is about our human stewardship of God's creation and our responsibility to those who come after us."

"It is, literally, all about our grandchildren. True stewardship requires changes in human actions - both in moral behaviour and technical advancement. A renewed sense of restraint could make an essential contribution to addressing global climate change."

Concerns about lignite mining in Southland are not new. The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, WWF, Coal Action Network Aotearoa, and the Anglican Social Justice Commission have all released reports on the devastating impacts mining lignite would bring to the land, air, water and people in Southland and beyond New Zealand.

"People came and were part of discussions across the top of the south, about where to next," Anthony Dancer said after the tour. "Humans are changing the climate and therefore we need to be changing our behaviour. We need to work together and strengthen our families and our communities, because climate change is the biggest threat facing humanity this century.

"Because of thermal delay, we are only seeing the impacts now from 30 years ago, and with an increase in emissions - what will it be like in 30 years from now? We need to reduce our carbon emissions.

"At its core, global climate change is not about economic theory or political platforms. It is about our human stewardship of God's creation and our responsibility to those who come after us. It is, literally, all about our grandchildren."

Rosemary Penwarden said "We need a just transition away from mining coal. Coal is the most polluting of the fossil fuels. It is the highest contributor to climate chaos. Coal Action Network Aotearoa opposes all new coalmines. That's the single most effective thing we can do for our grandkids and so we're saying - let's keep the coal in the hole!"

>> , to be added to the page. [If this link doesn't work, use this form instead]

[ Return ]
[ Other news articles ]

We wish to thank these local community-minded businesses who generously sponsor our site. They recognise the value of supporting this community asset, and in return Motueka Online is pleased to use and recommend their services whenever appropriate.

Ray White Motueka, Motueka Floral Studio, Nelson Building Society, House of Travel,
Greenwood Active Health Great Shape Today T.O.A.D. Hall