Less than two days after its launch, more than 100 people had signed an "online pledge" to take part in peaceful direct action against the construction of a third coal export terminal at Newcastle's port. The pledge notes that the terminal would increase Newcastle's coal exports by "66 million tonnes per annum, producing 160 million tonnes of greenhouse pollution".
Environment group Rising Tide said that signatories of the pledge, which was launched on May 15, included Greens Senator Kerry Nettle and Lee Rhiannon, a Greens member of the NSW upper house. By May 19, more than 170 people had indicated their support for peaceful direct action, should it be necessary.
The pledge states: "With the world in a climate change crisis, such a massive expansion of coal exports is unconscionable. If government and industry push ahead with these plans, I will take Peaceful Direct Action to attempt to stop the construction of a third Coal Export Terminal in Newcastle, or the expansion of existing terminals."
According to Rising Tide, the majority of those who have signed on are from Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. The group says that surveys have revealed that less than half of the Hunter's population supports the coal industry.
The pledge can be taken at http://www.loader.take-action.org.au.