All year, I have been looking forward to the People’s Blockade of the Newcastle coal port. I’ve been so excited to see the colourful array of kayaks and get to swim and paddle in the harbour with my friends to make our voices heard, and let the government know that we need to do everything we can right now to stop the climate crisis.
I know that Rising Tide has been working incredibly hard to make the blockade a fun and safe experience for everyone, but it feels like instead of listening to our concern about the climate crisis, the state government is doing everything they can to try to stop our “protestival” from going ahead.
But they haven’t succeeded. Already, hundreds of people have started gathering in Newcastle as the 2024 People’s Blockade prepares to kick off. Our government will hear the voices of thousands of people gathered to make a difference!
It’s really confusing that the New South Wales government is trying to put up an exclusion zone on the main days of our event, not allowing anyone to swim or kayak near Newcastle beaches. We just want the government to listen to the evidence and the science that is telling them to act now to stop global warming caused by burning coal, but they are blocking their ears.
From my perspective as a 12-year-old, it’s devastating that the blockade is getting such a negative reaction from the government – it makes me really worry for my future when politicians aren’t making any big changes, but instead allowing new coal and gas projects to go ahead.
How can I feel safe about my future when I don’t know what the world will look like in 10 years? Will our forests still be filled with life? Will our coral reefs be dead? Will our communities cope with more intense and frequent climate disasters like fires and floods?
While we have made some progress with renewable energy, the experts say we’ve been moving too slowly for decades. Despite all the warnings, Australia is still approving new coalmines. Australia exports so much coal that our country is the world’s second-largest climate polluter when our export emissions are included. Now has to be the time to make a drastic change.
The internationally agreed goal to keep the world’s temperature rise below 1.5C appears to no longer be achievable, and 1 million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction. It’s easy to lose hope but that’s why the blockade is so important – so passionate people can come together and make their voices heard.
Protests have played an important part in shaping our world – abolishing slavery, women being able to vote and getting fair and safe working conditions. I really worry that our government is trying to put this exclusion zone in Newcastle Harbour. Does this mean the government will keep trying to silence us? Does this mean I can no longer speak up about this incredibly important cause?
But we have to keep fighting. Being out on the water brings people together – and I’m devastated that our government is trying to prevent us from experiencing this, along with many other families, some coming from a long distance. It feels like the government is throwing a tantrum because they’re not getting their way. This is why now is the time to come together and make an impact, because we are facing a climate crisis.
So although I might not be able to go out on to the water any more, I know that whatever happens I will still be making my voice heard on the land, hand in hand with thousands of people who share my concerns. The People’s Blockade is still going ahead! It’s going to be three days of fun, music and making a difference, and I can’t wait.
