September 2009

Six Degrees is currently developing a transition and adjustment policy program for Queensland, as part of our campaign to reduce our dependence on the coal industry.

One of the most influential reports shaping our thinking for Queensland policy was released last year by the University Of Newcastle's Centre for Full Employment and Equity (CofFEE), which looked at the economic impacts of a transition from coal-fired power generation to a renewable energy economy in the Huter Region of New South Wales.  Not only did their analysis demonstrate the feasibility of this transition - it also showed a net increase in secure and high-paying employment in the region of between 3,900 and 10,700 jobs. And this while reducing as much as 50% of the state's entire domestic emissions. 

The Herd have canceled their show tonight at the "Coal to Coast" festival in Sarina in central Queensland after fans sent a flurry of messages on email, facebook and twitter protesting their appearence at the coal-sponsored gig. The Herd, who were the headline act, pulled out of the event and replied to posts on their website with a statement that the band ‘would never knowingly get involved in an event that supports the coal industry’.

While The Herd's fans in Sarina will be disappointed, the band's last minute cancellation is a powerful delegitimisation of coal companies' attempts to appear community friendly and a strong signal of increasing public rejection of the impacts of the coal industry.