“Some experts are calling for 60-80% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, but these would only stabilise greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at today’s levels. Given the time lag between emitting greenhouse gases and seeing the consequences (the weather we get today was cooked up over 100 years ago), we actually need to cut emissions by 90% in order to get the atmosphere back to pre-industrial levels.” Rising Tide UK

This page is a work in progress – hoping to contain in the near future PDF’s of leaflets and stickers for people to use and also to advertisie actions.

 

 

NGO AND ACTIVIST CALL TO ACTION

Alternatives to Minerals August 13th – 15th 2007

Oppose the expansion of mining in Aotearoa!

Kia Ora koutou,

Save Happy Valley Coalition and Coal Action Network invite you to join us in opposition of the destructive minerals industry during the 13th to 15th of August.

As you may already know, the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy are holding a New Zealand mining industry conference in Christchurch that same week. Key note speakers include the CEO of Solid Energy, New Zealand’s largest coal miner, and the Pike River Coal company will be giving a report on their underground mine at the edge of the Paparoa National Park.

WE CANNOT ALLOW THE BIGWIGS OF THIS INDUSTRY TO PLAN THE DETSRUCTION OF THE HAURAKI, THE WEST COAST, OTAGO AND OUR VOLCANOES UNCHECKED!

JOIN US IN PROTEST OF THIS NUCLEUS OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION!

Take action!

We invite you as an environmental NGO to hold your own event in protest of this conference, and, if you are in Christchurch, to join us in co-hosting the public forum “Towards a Future Without Coal” on Tuesday 14th August. If you don’t already have an event planned, we encourage you to organise an alternative forum, hold a film night, run a stall, issue a press release, organise a protest, take non violent direct action! As you know, it is imperative that the public know that mineral extraction does have a devastating impact on the environment in this country and where we, as defenders of the environment, stand on the mineral extraction industry.

The AUSIMM NZ Branch Conference 2007

The NZ Branch Conference 2007 – ‘New Zealand Mineral Diversity’ conference intended agenda covers 1. Political and social aspects of the mineral industry, 2. Environment management, 3. Geosciences and exploration potential, 4. Gold, coal, industrial minerals and other mining, 5. Legal and commercial issues. Most worrying here is the focus on exploration and expansion of Aotearoa’s mining industry – we all know what that would mean for our environment. While improving minimally, environmental management in the mineral extraction industry tends to be tokenistic, as recently proved by Solid Energy’s (mis)management of the endangered Powelliphanta Augustus snail.

Our contact details

For more details please contact Alex Winter-Billington on coalactionnetwork@gmail.com or 0274225128. Please send us details and contact details for any events you organise, so that we can forward your details to interested people in your area.

Events in Christchurch and Auckland
Save Happy Valley Coalition, who have been fighting against state owned coal miner Solid Energy’s destructive practices for over three years, and Coal Action Network, a recently formed anti-coal mining collective, will be staging protests and public events as alternatives to this conference in Auckland and Christchurch.

Christchurch Events

Tuesday 14th August

Public Meeting – “Alternatives to Minerals,” Arts Centre, 7pm. Featuring Peter Barrett with an introduction on “The Science of Climate Change – what the past can tell us about the future” and two other speakers on the Minerals Industry in New Zealand and on the West Coast.

Thursday 16th August

Save Happy Valley Community Dinner – featuring 3 course vegan meal, SHVC speakers and footage of Happy Valley. The Media Club (tbc), 191 Armagh St (near corner of Madras St).

Please email savehappyvalley@yahoo.com to book your tickets! ($15 waged, $10 low income, $5 children).

We look forward to working with you!

Alex Winter-Billington,

on behalf of the Save Happy Valley Coalition

and Coal Action Network

********************************************************************************

The Save Happy Valley Coalition (SHVC) is a collection of groups and
individuals from around Aotearoa committed to stopping Solid Energy’s
proposed open cast coal mine in Happy Valley (Upper Waimangaroa
Valley) on the West Coast. They work to raise awareness on climate
change in Aotearoa New Zealand and are deeply concerned about the
fate of all endangered species under threat from Solid Energy. The
Coalition is made up of West Coast locals, students, workers and the
general public. The group has a history of creative protest,
occupation, lock-on and a variety of informative media. More
information about the coalition and its history can be found at
http://www.savehappyvalley.org.nz/aboutus.htm. To get involved, please email contact@savehappyvalley.org.nz

Coal Action Network (CAN) is made up of individuals and groups
committed to fighting the continuation of coal mining in Aotearoa New
Zealand. It was recently formed specifically to fight Pike River Coal
Company Ltd, a company that is preparing to mine coal beneath native
forest adjacent to Paparoa National Park and has applied for a
further permit to mine beneath the national park. CAN intends to
extend its focus over time and to utilise the full spectrum of
non-violent action to bring about the cessation of coal mining in
this country. To get involved, please email coalactionnetwork@gmail.com