“Climate activists are sometimes depicted as dangerous radicals. But the truly dangerous radicals are the countries that are increasing the production of fossil fuels. Investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure is moral and economic madness” – Antonio Guterres
Two weekends ago, I decided to take part in an action that I knew could have consequences. By participating in civil disobedience, I knew that there was a possibility of being charged, but I felt the issue was so important that I went ahead anyway. I am generally a very law abiding citizen, I have a family and a responsible job in healthcare, but my reasons for putting myself in this situation are clear. I have a great love for my family, young people, humanity, for nature, and all the wonder and beauty of the natural world. I am terrified that with climate change, we could be losing a safe and liveable world even in my own lifetime.
I attended a wonderful event in Newcastle with the Rising Tide activist group. The (legal) 30 hour blockade of the world’s largest coal port was a fun, entertaining weekend where I felt great solidarity with an enormously diverse group of people of all ages from all walks of life and from many places around Australia. There was something for everyone with live music, kids activities, speeches, music from the Rif Raf brass band, and of course lots of kayaking. It was run almost entirely on volunteers, so it felt like a collective shared experience with many people filling roles in the kitchen, beach marshalling, welcome and pledge tents, security, and transport. The organisation of the weekend was amazingly efficient, even with some inclement weather thrown in!
I loved hearing stories from people who stayed up and did night shifts on the water to keep the blockade going overnight. I heard about a quiz, a poet reciting from the pontoon, even tea and pikelets cooked on the pontoon and served to paddlers! So you might ask, why decide to take the unconventional step (for me at least) of deliberately wanting to take part in civil disobedience?
I was nervous. I would rather not be putting myself in this situation. However, I see this type of protest as a symbolic form of resistance against activities and policies that I believe are contributing to environmental degradation, and I desperately feel the urgency of the situation. The science is clear that the burning of fossil fuels is releasing too much carbon dioxide into the air and heating our planet leading to more and more extreme weather. Our government pretends that they are taking action to reduce our country’s emissions, when in fact the opposite is true. By giving approval to the opening up and extensions of coal and gas fields (8 new coal proposals to be determined this year in NSW alone), it is simply providing lip service. By giving almost $60 Billion in subsidies to fossil fuels, their talk of emissions reductions are empty words.
Governments and corporations responsible for environmental issues are not being held accountable through legal means. Civil disobedience can be used as a tool to push for greater accountability and responsibility. Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr, would have not achieved their goals without the use of this tactic. The suffragettes, the rights of women and indigenous voting, racial inequality, all made gains through civil disobedience. Our own beautiful Franklin River in Tasmania would not have been saved without people getting arrested.
Another reason I participated in this action was that as a nurse, I understand about the health impacts of climate change. I understand about the direct impacts of burning coal, that the people in Newcastle, in the mines and anywhere in the vicinity of a coal mine or power station, are breathing in particulate matter that can affect health. Lungs, the cardiovascular system, pregnant women, all can be affected by coal dust and particulate matter. I understand that the bushfire smoke from the fires that are increasing because of climate change have the same effects.
I understand that heat is a bigger killer than any other natural disaster in Australia. That heat waves have been responsible for more human deaths than bushfires, storms, cyclones and floods. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent with climate change, so the threat of more deaths is real.
As a nurse, I understand that I have a responsible and trusted role in society, and that I am expected to maintain a code of ethics that uphold principles and professional obligations. The NMBA Code of Conduct for nurses states at 1.2, that nurses ‘should not engage in unlawful behaviour as it may affect their practice and/or damage the reputation of the profession’.
But on the other hand, the Code of conduct also requires that nurses must ‘use their expertise and influence to protect and advance the health and wellbeing of individuals as well as communities and populations.’ Furthermore, the International Council of nurses, has a Code of Ethics that state at 4.6 “Nurses collaborate and practise to preserve, sustain and protect the natural environment and are aware of the health consequences of environmental degradation, e.g. climate change. They advocate for initiatives that reduce environmentally harmful practices to promote health and well-being. “ (Revised 2021)
My interpretation here is that the digging up, transporting through the Port of Newcastle, and sending our coal to be burnt overseas is a harmful practice affecting the health of many here and wherever the coal is burnt, in addition to contributing to climate change.
The International Council of nurses has a position statement on the Climate Emergency, and also I am aware that my own nurses’ union, the NSWNMA, has passed a position statement on the Climate Emergency, which was endorsed in 2023.
These statements both reference the fact that the climate emergency is occurring due to human activities particularly from the burning of fossil fuels. That planetary health means that human health and well being are inherently linked to the natural environment.
Within the statements they reference the latest IPCC report from 2023, that climate change is certain to remain a threat to human well-being and planetary health.
Furthermore, that the World Health Organisation has stated that “Climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity , and health professionals worldwide are already responding to the health harms caused by this unfolding crisis.”
The position statements highlight that “Urgent action must be taken by government and all sectors of the community to limit global warming in line with the best available evidence.” This includes reducing the burning of fossil fuels and the emitting of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, so there should be no new coal, oil or gas projects. They also support a just transition for workers and communities whose livelihoods depend on these industries.
So I truly believe, by taking these actions, even going as far as civil disobedience, in the context of my advocacy and activism, that I am upholding my obligations in this way. The public health effects resulting from the Climate emergency are many and varied. Apart from the effects on our health already mentioned from burning coal and heatwaves, climate change brings about greater incidence of storms and flooding. Communities recently affected by massive floods have suffered mental health effects as well as the physical threat of floodwaters and the resulting infections from cleaning up in muddy conditions. Cyclones and storm surges also provide a physical threat, as well as mental health effects from people losing their homes and suffering financial hardship. The burden on our healthcare system is great, and with increasing events, likely to become greater.
These everyday effects on the health of our population hardened my resolve to participate, but I was still apprehensive before the action. But once we were out on that waterway, with a singular purpose, I felt the love and solidarity of the other 108 people, and I must admit a sense of excitement and fun, supported by plenty of jokes, singing and chanting.
From the 97 year old grandfather, to the 5 brave teenagers who chose to join us, and all the ages in between, I felt the sense of shared purpose and a Rising Tide of hope that change could come.
During the whole process of the action and arrest, I also felt the privilege of being a white female in a country where climate activists are not beaten or abused, although the erosion of rights are beginning with the new draconian laws around protest being recently passed in most Australian states.
I was happy with the amount of media attention that the weekend and then the mass civil disobedience brought. My hope is that by engaging with the media in this way, it will have the effect of promoting public awareness around the harmful effects of climate change on health.
In the words of The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who said earlier this year “Climate activists are sometimes depicted as dangerous radicals. But the truly dangerous radicals are the countries that are increasing the production of fossil fuels . Investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure is moral and economic madness”