Carbon Credits against Coal Mining
The Save Happy Valley Coalition will launch new carbon credits into the market today, after Solid Energy blamed the group for a reduction in coal production from its opencast Stockton Mine.
The state-owned miner recently said(1) that it was reducing production for the year by 250,000 tonnes, in part because of the protests by Save Happy Valley Coalition members.
"This is great news for the climate," says Save Happy Valley Coalition spokesperson Frances Mountier. "Solid Energy can't catch up that lost 250,000 tonnes of production, so that's 600,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide that have been prevented from reaching the atmosphere – the equivalent of taking 170,000 New Zealand cars off the road for a year."
"Our members repeatedly tramped up the steep untracked Mt Augustus, often in shocking weather, to use our physical presence to prevent Solid Energy's blast explosions. We're now celebrating the fact that we've had a real and beneficial effect on the climate."
"We will be selling carbon credits at a bargain rate – just $10 for 100 tonnes of carbon dioxide! We hope to encourage people to buy credits that ensure active reductions in emissions, not offsetting using sinks," said Ms Mountier. "Now is the time to act on climate change. We need to see serious action to reduce emissions from the source."
The carbon credits will be available on Trademe from Tuesday 12th June. Bollard posters will be distributed across Christchurch in the following days, and green organisations and local businesses will be contacted. More information will be available on the Save Happy Valley Coalition website
The Coalition is selling the certificates as a light-hearted fundraiser. Buyers will receive a personalised carbon credit certificate detailing the credits purchased. The remaining text reads: 'Thank you for supporting the campaign for a socially just and environmentally sustainable transition away from coal mining, and the protection of precious West Coast ecosystems.'
"Buy our carbon credits to offset the emissions of your, your family, or your businesses, and help ensure a socially just and environmentally sustainable transition away from coal mining," said Ms Mountier.
//ENDS
Media Contact
Frances Mountier, Save Happy Valley Coalition spokesperson
0211757484
Notes
1. Stockton delays cost Solid Energy export shipments and $25 million profit
(See http://www.solidenergy.co.nz/ab-press-details.asp?id=222).
