A Triumphant Rejection: Rocky Hill Coal Mine

Published on February 8, 2019 in the Sydney Morning Herald, Peter Hannam reported that the Rocky Hill Coal Mine project was rejected by NSW’s Land and Environment Court. The reasons given by the court included the future emissions of greenhouse gases and resulting momentous push towards a already drastically altered climate system. The NSW Planning Minister announced that the mining project was “in the wrong place at the wrong time”.

In addition to the environmental impacts that this mine would have had, this project was proposed to be established on aboriginal land. Many of the first protestors of this project were aboriginal people who wanted nothing more than to protect their land and preserve nature.

Australia has had a long environmental history with coal being used as a significant source of energy. This court decision was incredibly important because it was “the first time an Australian court has heard evidence of a global budget of greenhouse gas emissions to avoid dangerous climate change to justify the refusal of a new coal mine”.

 The chief judge of New South Wales Land and Environment Court acknowledged how seemingly small projects such as this mine could end up making large differences in the long run of our planet in a tragedy of the commons-like scenario. Will Stefan, a professor at Australia National University also stated that the climate targets set on the Paris climate agreement will not be met if we continue to approve of projects similar to this one. Shutting the doors on projects like these will greatly benefit us in the long run and will add momentum to the environmental movement and battle against climate change.

In aggregate, the mine would have contributed 37.8 million tonnes of carbon-dioxide equivalent, adding to an already highly carbon concentrated atmosphere. This decision will greatly benefit Australia and the rest of the world in the battle against climate change in the coming years.

Overall, Hannam’s story did a great job of detailing the importance of the rejection of this mining project through scientific research and facts as well as citing government officials. Another great addition to his story would have been the inclusion of local and aboriginal people’s feelings on the rejection of the mine.

About makenafred

In the mid-2000's Makena was riding a friend's bike down a hill in her neighborhood. Unable to stop the bike, she fell off and snapped her wrist in half. It was days later that she went to the hospital to have it looked at, and unfortunately, the doctors had to re-break her wrist in order for properly treat it. She was 7 years old when this happened in Orange County, California, her hometown. Born and raised in O.C., Makena changed coasts when she chose to study at NYU in Gallatin with the concentration "Sustainable Design & Development." She is currently a sophomore and 19 years old, and a memorable moment for her was her 18th birthday where she saw Lorde live and front row. This was a dream come true, and another dream that has yet to come true but hopefully will is to swim with a whale shark in Mexico. Although she is an introvert and can come off as shy, Makena describes herself as "weird and crazy" when around those she is comfortable with. These traits match those of the star sign, Cancer, which she also happens to be.

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