It’s no secret that I am an emotional person, and that nothing inspires me more than people standing up for what they believe in.
Last week, as the Pacific Climate Warriors led a flotilla in the world’s largest coal port – even the most unemotional among those witnessing were moved.
Image via Jeff Tan
While countries like Australia fail to heed calls to stop contributing to devastating climate change, sea level rise is already affecting some of the island homes of the Pacific Climate Warriors at rates which the IPCC describes as being “significantly higher than the global average”.1
In true warrior spirit, their response is: “We are not drowning – we are fighting!” For the last year, Warriors from 13 Pacific Island nations have been building traditional canoes – and on Friday, they paddled out in Newcastle Harbour to take peaceful action against Australia’s fossil fuel production. Here’s what happened:
Image via Jeff Tan
30 Pacific Climate Warriors vs 10 coal ships
Standing on the beach, it looks like there’s an endless stream of people carrying kayaks, ready to paddle out in solidarity. As the Warriors prepare to confront these coal ships head on, a hush falls over the crowd.
Image via Jeff Tan
The Warrior canoes start to paddle out, towards the shipping channel. The police boats and jet-skis nearly outnumber them, but soon supporters are launching kayaks from every available piece of beach. This huge fleet paddles past the police-mandated exclusion zone easily, and get ready to face the approaching ship: the bulk carrier, Rhine.
Image via Jeff Tan
From the beach, I see this giant ship, with a tug boat at each end, stop dead in its tracks. The crowd on the beach is cheering and in the distance we can see paddles raised in defiance. In this moment, I tear up. It’s more than just their courage, or the amazing feat of stopping a huge ship with a bunch of kayaks – it’s the power of people speaking up for those who are not heard, and shouting in the face of big money and big coal that destroying lives will not go unnoticed. Time seems to stand still while everyone takes a collective breath, taking in the significance of the moment – then chaos reigns as police slowly herd the throng out of the path of the ship.
Image via Jeff Tan
At the end of the day, I am exhausted, wet, and a little bit sunburnt, but the energy among the crowds is still impressive. The word is going round that of twelve ships scheduled to pass through the Port of Newcastle today, only four have made it through this powerful blockade. Celebration is in the air and we can all go home safe in the knowledge that we were part of something massive – an action that’s sent a clear message to the coal industry and the Australian government: these Pacific Islanders will not go down without a fight.
Image via Jeff Tan
The Pacific Warriors tour will soon be coming to an end, following amazing solidarity actions the past three days at Sydney’s Whitehaven HQ, The Minerals Council in Canberra, and the ANZ HQ in Melbourne. You can catch all the updates about those peaceful direct actions at 350.org’s Facebook page.
