Missy Higgins adds voice to Adani coal mine protest
Photo: Cybele Malinowski
More musicians are intensifying their protests against the Adani Carmichael $16 billion coal mine, particularly through joining Green Music Australia’s Coal Resisters.
Coal Resisters make a commitment to use their influence, by speaking out against the mine, talking to their fans and audiences about it at gigs and on social media.
Missy Higgins is the latest to come on board, joining names including Jebediah’s Bob Evans, Screamfeeder, Ash Grunwald, Moreton, Felicity Groom, William Crighton, The General Assembly and Leah Senior.
Higgins has already donated her time by narrating two campaign videos.
She and Peter Garrett earlier joined 80 business leaders, sporting figures, authors and scientists in signing a petition that an Australian delegation of businesspersons and conservationists took to India to present to Adani Enterprises at its headquarters.
She said “I want my son to grow up in a healthy world, and know that we fought hard to protect his generation’s future.
“The Carmichael Mine is the opposite of what we should be doing right now.
“This coal mine is so big it will tip our climate into environmental devastation. How can anyone with a conscience think that it is ok for our children to inherit that?”
The musical campaign began in March, when 350, Rob Hirst and Ash Grunwald worked with Green Music Australia to hold special briefing meetings with musicians in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne on what they could do.
Midnight Oil last month raised the campaign’s profile with their Save The Reef benefit concert in Cairns.
Banks who’ve been lending money to mines have also been targeted.
In April, protesters disrupted Westpac’s 200th birthday celebrations, Neil Finn who had been performing at the event immediately donated his performance fee to the campaign.
On July 27, Brisbane musicians including Zefereli, Tim Steward (Screamfeeder), Clea, Reuben Schaefer (Stranger Land), Tomas Kidd (Big Iron) and Emma Bosworth joined a public action in front of the Commonwealth Bank, calling on the bank to be a climate leader and stop funding coal projects, starting with Adani’s dirty coal mine.
Screamfeeder’s Steward and Kellie Lloyd said “If we want a chance to live in a healthy and just world, this Adani Carmichael Mine must be stopped.
“No more exploitation of the natural environment. No more ignoring of Indigenous rights. No means no.”
William Crighton added, “Now is the time to not only stop Adani but stop all new coal mines It’s a dull, dirty and outdated technology which poisons our land and water.”
As the campaign moves up another further gear, Green Music Australia’ Executive Director Tim Hollo told TMN, “I’m not surprised that musicians are coming out in force.
“They’ve always been at the forefront of environmental issues, the campaign around (Tasmania’s) Franklin River in the ‘80s being one example..”
Hollo, who plays violin and viola in Sydney rock and jazz fusion band Fourplay String Quartet, added,“ With the Adani mine, they’ve spread the word within the music community, and taken action like wearing campaign T-shirts onstage and attending rallies and protests.”
Green Music Australia is seeking more artists to join Coal Resisters. Get in touch at info@greenmusic.org.au if you’d like to take part.
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