2020-09-25
The Victorian Greens have said that today's student-led 'Fund Our Future, Not Gas' national day of action should serve as a wake-up call to the state government that young people will no longer tolerate its damaging reliance on fossil fuels.
This year alone, the state government has made a number of decisions under the cover of COVID-19 that will cause long-lasting damage to our climate, land, water, plants and animals.
This includes a decision to open up Victoria to onshore gas drilling, despite widespread protest from experts, environmental groups and the Greens.
At the time, Premier Andrews claimed the decision was based on 'science', however he failed to account for the emissions created when gas is burnt, leading the state government to underestimate emissions from gas drilling by seven times.
Gas is a dangerous fossil fuel that is mostly made up of methane, and it traps more heat in our atmosphere than burning coal.
Acting Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell, said Victoria was at a crossroads and needed to decide whether it would continue to provide a lifeline to coal and gas companies or create a future with a safe climate and secure jobs.
She added that the Greens would be in solidarity with young people around the state today, calling for a gas-free future.
Quotes attributable to Acting Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell MP:
"Our state government's reliance on gas could damage our environment and the climate for decades to come.
"A good government would listen to scientists and communities by leaving gas in the ground, and throwing everything it has at building a safe and renewable-powered future."