Australian Gov Votes To Expand 4 Coal Mines; Lifetime Output Will Nearly Double Nation's CO2 Emissions

The Albanese government has approved the expansion of four coalmines that climate campaigners estimate will release more than 850m tonnes of CO2 over their lifetime – equivalent to almost double Australia’s annual emissions. The four mines will target mostly coal to be used for steelmaking with some thermal coal for burning in power stations.

The approvals have angered climate and environment groups, including groups in the Pacific, who said the expansions would put people at increased risk from extreme weather events and undermined the country’s case to host international climate talks in 2026. The office of the environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, said the four projects approved were the Boggabri coalmine in New South Wales and, in Queensland, the Caval Ridge Horse Pit, the Lake Vermont Meadowbrook coalmine and the Vulcan South coalmine.

Plibersek attempted to downplay the decisions, saying the projects were “all extensions of existing operations” and were producing coal for making steel that was essential for “homes, bridges, trains, windfarms, and solar panels”.

Ed. - Emphasis added. Also, really? Really?

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Greens environment spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, said Labor had “given coal for Christmas” and that approving mines that threatened koala habitat and worsened the climate crisis “should be illegal”. Joseph Sikulu, of the Pacific arm of campaign group 350.org, said: “Australia’s commitment to climate destruction makes a mockery of the ‘family’ they claim to call the Pacific.” The approvals would emit 7.5 times more carbon the Pacific nations produced in a single year, he said.

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https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/19/albanese-government-coalmine-expansions-approved-boggabri-caval-ridge-horse-pit-lake-vermont-meadowbrook-vulcan-south