Rights, Carbon, Actions!

Climate Camp is not a new Disney movie but a series of 20 climate workshops and direct actions taking place globally this year, with four scheduled across Australia.

Hundreds of concerned citizens last week gathered near the Hazelwood coal-fired power plant in Victoria with the intention of shutting it down, in defiance of a recent government approval that would see the plant expanded and its operating life extended.

For New South Wales residents, Climate Camp happens an hour south of Sydney at Helensburgh, from October 9-11. Situated near the mouth Australia’s oldest coalmine, the camp will culminate in a direct action highlighting Planning Minister Kristina Kenneally’s recent approval of a $50 million extension to the mine.

CC09 spokesperson, Naomi Hogan, hopes the camp will be as successful as last year’s which culminated in a direct action that saw 1600 participants close down Newcastle’s Carrington Coal Terminal for a day. But crucial to that camp’s success was the coming together of people from across Australia to take action.

The Camp’s slogan is actions speak louder than words.

Hogan admits this will be her first act of civil disobedience but having met participants from last year’s action who are back to participate again this year, she talks of feeling inspired and positive – a change from the climate change fatigue dealt out weekly by the media and policy wonks.

“Instead of just getting angry reading the paper or whining at a dinner party we can be part of something that makes a difference,” says Hogan.

Climate Camp at Helensburgh will be a place for anyone who wants to skill up and be supported to take action on climate change. As well as three days of learning from local Aboriginal Traditional Owners, retired coal miners, scientists and experienced activists, event organisers have put together three days of music and entertainment for the hundreds of campers expected to attend.

Camp facilities have been made possible by a recent series of fundraisers, with one of the most recent at Mori Gallery near Darling Harbour raising thousands of dollars from the sale of donated artworks.

Hogan also spruiks the “Adopt-An-Activist” campaign being run from the group’s website – http://www.climatecamp.org.au. In an age of offsets, people who don’t like camping are being asked to sponsor people who do.

Wollongong police commander, Superintendent Kyle Stewart expects that organizers will conduct a lawful and peaceful protest.

“There is a need for organisers of the Climate Camp to adhere to their goal and certainly police are looking forward to working with the organisers in that regard,” Stewart said.