Rising Tide Action

Action by Rising Tide in Newcastle on August 5th, 2011 to highlight coal’s contribution to Somalia’s famine

Rising Tide Australia is a grassroots Newcastle group taking action against the causes of anthropogenic climate change and for equitable, just,effective, and sustainable solutions to the crisis. We are committed to the principles of Non-violent Direct Action. We are part of the global Rising Tide climate justice movement. We live in the biggest coal port in the cosmos.

In this action, the activists were calling for coal companies to donate some of their profits to the hundreds of thousands facing starvation due to the terrible climate change driven drought in East Africa.

“Coal is recognised globally as the biggest contributor to climate change. Yet, while climate disaster ravages East Africa, coal companies operating here in Australia are planning to massively expand their coal production, ignoring all the negative impacts.” Spokesperson Naomi Hogan

Climate change is affecting the poorest first. It’s easy for politicians to say “we don’t have enough evidence” speaking the lines that come from minerals councils and lobby groups. The West Australian State Liberals want us to wait for yet another report. A Royal Commission in fact. It is infuriating to people still using these stalling tactics. It is important that we stand with Rising Tide in their actions.

It is not just Australia that battles with the mega-rich resource multi-nationals. Here is a little idea from Canada to address an issue creatively – No Tankers Oil Poster

W.H.

They’re keeping a file on me

It was nice to see so many fans with video cameras when we played at the Switch off Hazelhood protest last month.  Hazelwood power station is the most polluting power station in Australia.

At gigs, and even when we’re busking, people invariably take photos or videos.  I always wonder where on earth those dodgy videos end up…

I can only presume these coppers were desperate to show their mates back at the station the awesome Lurkers gig they missed out on.  Because if it was for ASIO, what the hell are they gonna do with a recording of The Lurkers playing Environmental Evangelism Makes no Friends?! 

Then again, maybe they were genuinely afraid of the protesters.  I know that nothing strikes fear into my heart quite like a papier mache globe.

There  so many cops at the protest, they had to get creative about their modes of transport.  We saw dirt bikes, helicopters, inflatable boats, 4WDs, horses. 

In fact I think the only transport mode missing was the elegant bicycle.  I guess that would have been too environmentally friendly for the occasion.

If you feel like doing something to save us all from the impending doom cause by climate change, join us at Climate Camp this weekend. 

If we’re in luck, we might even get a few cops turing up to The Lurkers songwriting workshop this Friday.  Cause nothing threatens the state quite like a rhyming couplet.

Radical philanthropy

People are often shy about talking about money – how much they earn and how much they give.  But I’m interested in having the conversation…

A few weeks ago, my old university called me up to ask me to donate to one of two worthy causes – one for ground breaking cancer research that the uni was doing, or supporting a scholarship fund for disadvantaged students (so you still have an appealing option even if you are a conservative or a bleeding heart).  I was conflicted – I recieved a scholarship for rural disadvantaged kids that subsidised my accomodation for my first year of uni.  And I think equal access to education is one of the most important things society can offer.  But surly it should be publically funded, rather than dependent on the wealth of the alumni and prestige of the uni?

But on the other hand, I earn more money than I need to live so I feel an ethical duty to donate money to organisations who are making change.

Which got me thinking about all the worthy organisations out there who don’t have the resources to ring me up and ask for donations.  And especially the ratbag organisations who don’t even qualify for tax deductability cause the Government hates them (because they are good at political campaigning).

So my new policy is every time I’m personally approached by a large organisation looking for donations, I will donate to a small ratbag organisation instead.   (Not that I’m hacking out on bigger organisations – I also donate to Oxfam and the Wilderness Society)

I’m currently working through this list:
 – Rising Tide
 – Jura Books
 – Asen
 – Friends of the Earth
 – Cuntastic
 – Climate Camp
 – Redfern Legal Centre
 – APHEDA

I’d love to hear your suggestions for other awesome organisations that are either too radical or don’t have the resources for mass fundraising.

Anyone who has no corporate sponsors, has been struck of the tax deductability register or who engages is civil disobedience is going to be off to a headstart : )

Desert Rat Shorty

People’s occupation of the world’s biggest coal port

Newcastle Harbour 3 hours north of Sydney has the dubious honour of being the world’s biggest coal port.  It’s where Australia exports climate change to the rest of the world.

The people’s occupation of the harbour is an annual event where people build dodgy rafts and other ‘sea worthy’ vessels and occupy the harbour for the day, stopping any coal ships from getting through.  Activism that involves swimming, lying on the beach and capsising hopeless raft building efforts..

Good times had by all!