Joining the Rising Tide: 8,500km from home
On the 22nd of November 2023, I joined 3000 people who descended for three days on Horseshoe Beach, Muloombina, on the land of the Awabakal and Warimi peoples, aka Newcastle. We had one goal – stop the coal by blocking the ships and saying no to apocalypse. Our understanding was simple; Indigenous peoples had been displaced by a mining project that would ship pollutants across the world, harming other Indigenous peoples across the world. Organized by Rising Tide, we were united under the common understanding that climate change will not be stopped by government and business leaders; it must be by everyday people organized in grassroots movements. Three thousand people and 32 hours later, the movement had blocked a total of 10 ships and half a million tonnes of coal from being shipped out.
It was a surreal experience. The idea of travelling to the world’s largest coal exporting port felt very consequential, especially given I am already 8,500 km away from Bangladesh, my home. Taking part in a blockade felt like a privilege - most people in my country could not even dream of taking part in something so disruptive - but it also felt like a responsibility, a calling. The coal being shipped out from Newcastle is contributing to temperatures rising at an ever-increasing rate. It’s responsible for extreme weather in countries like Bangladesh, and the heat-related deaths and wildfires seen across the world last year.
Aumio and Jordan taking action at Rising Tide, photo used with permission
Coal accounts for 76% of Newcastle’s shipping traffic, representing almost 1.4 billion tonnes and A$6.1 billion in value according to the 2022 trade report by the Port of Newcastle authority. With each gram of coal burned, at least 3 grams of CO2 are released into the atmosphere. The total emissions from Newcastle therefore add up to 4.2 billion tonnes of CO2 in the atmosphere: a conservative estimate that does not count the emissions from shipping, transport, and the mining process. Global emissions of CO2 had been predicted to reach 36.8 billion tonnes in 2023 , which means the Port of Newcastle contributed around 11% of the world’s total carbon emissions. The 500,000 tonnes of coal we stopped on those three days stopped 0.036% of the coal shipment out of Newcastle. In the grand scheme of things this may seem insignificant, but in terms of building momentum towards the anti-fossil fuel movement, it’s massive. People need to see others stepping up against coal corporations, so they gain the confidence to join this movement so crucial for the survival of our species.
Our addiction to fossil fuels is speeding us towards a climate catastrophe that could well be the end of our species as we know it; at the very least leading to a “population correction event”. While countries in the developed world are vulnerable to such a catastrophe, the incredible irony is that it’s those least responsible who will suffer the most. This is climate injustice, and we cannot stand by as this happens: it’s why Rising Tide gathered on the shores of Muloombina.
Rising Tide had clear climate justice messages, photo by Lee Illfield
Even though we gathered for a serious cause, the event itself was festive. I always pictured rebellion to be a celebration, and this indeed was one. We celebrated the part of human nature that seeks justice, freedom, and harmony with this planet that it calls home. There were training sessions for climate activists and keynote speakers from First Nations people and founding activists. There was live music to enjoy; and watching the performances from a kayak under the night sky while knowing I was putting a dent in the pockets of climate criminals felt like a religious experience. The kitchen staff did a truly incredible job of feeding people and everyone chipped in to help. It all felt like a fledgling anarcho-communist society.
In 2024 Rising Tide is mobilizing 10,000 people over 10 days. We need to keep pushing and building momentum towards saving our planet and our species. As the largest coal port in the world, Newcastle is a key chokepoint in the fossil fuels pipeline. By concentrating our efforts here, we can effectively challenge corporations behind the destruction of our only home and inspire people around the world to take similar actions.
If you’re interested in finding out more, you can join Rising Tide and take the Pledge here or contact the Adelaide group here.