It’s time to move beyond coal – that’s the message a Newcastle Climate Change activist is pushing in the Hunter.
Anna Rose grew up in Newcastle and says her passion to fight for the environment is driven by seeing first hand the industry’s effect on the climate.
“I used to go surfing before school and I would see on the horizon 20 to 30 coal ships every morning and I started thinking about that at the same time I was learning about climate change at school here in Newcastle….I learnt about climate change in about year 7 or 8 and that’s when I started getting involved in the environmental movement.”
Anna is visiting the coal heartland to promote her book ‘Madlands : a journey to change the mind of a climate sceptic”, which details her tour across the globe with former Liberal Minister and climate sceptic Nick Minchin.
Anna’s aim – to try and change his mind about the science behind climate change.
No easy feat, especially when travelling for 4 weeks, to 11 countries, followed by a film crew at the same time as planning a wedding.
“I had gotten him to a point in London where he said climate change was happening and that humans had probably caused part of it, so that was a big step for him.”
Her visit to the area has come at a significant time, as the region continues to debate a fourth coal loader and with the carbon tax named as a driving factor behind closure of Hydro Aluminium in Kurri Kurri.
“The carbon price is a really important first step to start transitioning Australia’s economy from a polluting industry to renewable energy. It’s not going to be easy for all sectors as we make the transition. We need to do it in a way that is fair to workers and focuses on the opportunities we can create.
She says there is no doubt it will come at a cost, but it needs to happen now.
“It is important for us to have a conversation as a community that isn’t focused in the short term…we have to act on climate change to protect the future of young people in the Hunter and around Australia.”
