In response to the approval of the Northwest Shelf gas extension, Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) argues that World Environment Day (WED), which falls on June 5th, is tokenistic unless the environmental movement addresses the cause of our environmental issues, rather than the symptoms.
SPA Spokesperson Michael Bayliss says that while the theme of the 2025 WED, 'Beat Plastic Pollution' is a noble goal, "unfortunately, changes in consumer behaviour are offset by the fact that the global population is growing by 70 million per year."
"The Northwest Shelf is already Australia's third-highest emitting facility in the country, producing about 6 million tonnes each year. This is the first step towards a Burrup hub that has potential to emit more carbon than 12 coal-fired power plants."
"Meanwhile proposed bauxite mining in WA could have a disastrous impact on Perth's drinking water" says Mr Bayliss. "One of the solutions proposed by WA's state government is to supply citizens with bottled drinking water.
"How are we going to make any progress on saving plastic when a fast growing metropolis of two million people may have to resort to bottled water, due to expanding mining operations?"
