As if there’s not enough issues with global warming and wildlife preservation, the Australian Government has made another GREAT decision about the environment and is opening up the Great Australian Bight to drill for oil.
In the last few weeks, the Australian government released the area for offshore oil and gas drilling, which foreign petroleum companies will now bid on to drill. Understandably a country needs energy, which is why Australia should be looking to the future and investing in clean renewable energy.
Side note – BP pulled out of drilling plans in the area in 2016 for environmental and safety reasons.
"More than 85% of the marine species in the Bight can be found nowhere else in the world. We must protect this pristine natural wonder."
The Great Barrier Reef 2.0
The Great Australian Bight is an enormous and pristine open bay, just off of the south of Australia near Tasmania (where the government also happens to be destroying the Tarkine forest). The area is a research haven, containing rare species and breeding grounds for whales, sea lions and other magnificent creatures. Beautiful marine species aside, it’s also essential for human survival.
As a small fishing village, the area’s tourism and fishing livelihood, worth millions of dollars, relies on the bay having healthy animals in it. It also makes up 25% of Australia’s fish supplies, bye bye prawns on the barbie. Oh, we also need clean oceans to live, essentially it absorbs carbon dioxide and produces some of the oxygen we breathe.
More than 85% of the marine species in the Bight can be found nowhere else in the world. We must protect this pristine natural wonder. – Greenpeace Australia, 2018
It only takes a short online search to figure out that off-shire drilling for oil is destructive for the environment and marine life, both short and long term. There have been multiple warnings from scientists in the media that an oil spill would be catastrophic for the area. Australian Marine Conservation Society states that ‘Independent expert modelling shows that if a blowout and oil spill were to occur, the environmental devastation could impact as far away as Western Australia or the Victorian and Tasmanian coastline.’
Other companies are planning to use dangerous seismic blasts to find oil. These blasts are loud enough to kill a person and deafen whales. Countless other endangered marine animals, including whales and sea lions, are at risk from oil spills. – Greenpeace, Australia
Haven’t we heard this before? Well yes, it’s similar to the Great Barrier Reef, which has been fucked up (mass coral death), suggested to be from global warming and coal mining. Sense an exploitation and destruction pattern?
Let’s stick our middle finger up to the government and say
‘WE WILL FIGHT FOR THE BIGHT’
How to fight
1. Sign the below petitions (of your choosing)
Australian Marine Conservation Society (this sends an email directly to Malcolm Turnbull’s office)
The Great Australian Bight Alliance
2. Talk
Spreading the world as much as possible means that more people are aware and will get involved.
- Spread the image above or this article across social media
- Put stickers on cars and windows
- Talk about it at brunch, dinner & your uncle’s birthday party
3. Invest in companies that care
Business’ have the power to create change and therefore, so does the consumer. Invest in companies that only invest in the future, which is renewable energy. Look at the social responsibility in a range of your investments, from clothing to your bank. B-Corp certification can help you in the right direction.
A great example is Australian Ethical Super, which only invest in renewable energy; ‘Divesting from our worst polluters has potential to sway public opinion and expedite strong government action to deal with climate change.’
4. Volunteer
An international event just happened against deep sea oil drilling, however there are many more to come. Check out your local environmental groups to see if there are any events to highlight the fight for the bight, if not – start one!
You can volunteer to collect signatures, help raise funds or start a local movement. Volunteer here.
5. Donate
If you don’t have the time or energy to commit your time to the cause, donate to those that can. For more information & resources, go to the Great Australian Bight Alliance campaign page here.
“Nature is the salve for our souls. We owe it to everyone who comes after us and ourselves, to protect what little is left of wild nature…” – Dr. Bob Brown quote to Patagonia for ‘World Heritage Protection for the Tarkine’, 2018
Images via The Great Australian Bight Alliance
