National Day of Action this Saturday

This month, Norwegian oil company Equinor was asked to resubmit, for a third time, their environmental plan to commence exploratory drilling in the Great Australian Bight.

The public has been locked out of this process, unaware which parts of Equinor's proposal are being modified, however we know that Equinor must resubmit their plans to NOPSEMA by November 29th.

Right now, Heath Joske and the crew from Patagonia are taking their film 'Head of the Bight' on the road, see dates below, while a National Day of Action has been planned for this Saturday with more than fifty paddle outs happening right around the country.

Click to find the location and time of your local paddle out.

Over the next week, Heath Joske will present 'The Head Of The Bight' alongside Mick Waters’ 'Outdated Children' (2019), and these family-friendly evenings will include a Q&A.

  • Wednesday, 20 November – Norah Heads Sports Club, with Mick Waters
  • Thursday, 21 November – Valla Beach Pre School, Valla Beach Road, Valla Beach
  • Friday, 22 November – Woolaweyah Community Hall, Yamba
  • Saturday, 23 November – Patagonia Burleigh Heads
  • Sunday, 24 November – Byron Bay Community Centre

Further details are available via Patagonia Australia’s Facebook page.

Comments

Smorto's picture
Smorto's picture
Smorto Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 1:24pm

Fuel prices are about to jump about 50c a litre this week, be careful what you wish for people. The days of a surf road trip could be numbered.

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 1:28pm

Seen it happen already... weekend was 1.30, now 1.72! WTF No reason either.

Will be there down at the Manly event, get involved!

Smorto's picture
Smorto's picture
Smorto Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 2:02pm

No reason? There is an exact reason and its called supply and demand.

Isis attack on a major saudi refinery a couple of weeks ago put a big dent in supply, hence the rise in prices as the drop in supply filters through the chain.

As I said, be careful what you wish for.

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 2:04pm

Funny how it takes months for prices to drop when there's an increase in supply or drop in the price of oil, while as soon as it goes the other way, the flow on effect is near instant.

Smorto's picture
Smorto's picture
Smorto Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 2:10pm

Yeah but its not that simple. The saudi's carefully control how much is produced to ensure that the price doesn't drop too much. So its not a matter of just increasing supply when they feel like it.

Im not saying that the bight is the right place for drilling but everyone is all against oil exploration until the saudi's have war and production is reduced or halted. Then fuel is $5 a litre and were' all f**ked and in need of a new oil supply.

One more time, be careful what you wish for.

space_cadet's picture
space_cadet's picture
space_cadet Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 2:54pm

Be careful what we wish for?

Is that what we'll be saying if an oil spill does happen in the bight? Oil exploration and extraction is a vital part of our civilisation, but is it worth it in such a dangerous and wild area, with such high consequence to thousands of Australians livelihoods if there was to be a spill?

Doesn't matter if petrol is $1.50 or $5 for local fishermen if the fish are dead or covered in oil. Doesn't matter if petrol is $1.50 or $5 if there is no tourism on the great ocean road due to an oil spill...

Clam's picture
Clam's picture
Clam Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 4:45pm

Yeah well said,
Simply "you cant eat money".
Taking the oil from in the Bight wont make prices cheaper to travel anyway will it ?

garyg1412's picture
garyg1412's picture
garyg1412 Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 3:29pm

If petrol was $5 a litre I don't think we'd be f**ked. We'd just be more selective about our travels or about the size of the vehicle we drive. You'd be f**ked if you owned a V8 Landcrusier but not so f**ked if you had a Holden Barina.

Smorto's picture
Smorto's picture
Smorto Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 3:55pm

Na we'd be f**cked. Apart from the fact that the thousands of surfers who own 4x4 dual cab utes wouldn't dream of downgrading to something as small as a barina, that means every semi trailer, delivery van, tractor, plane, train etc. would be paying $5 for fuel and everything would cost a f*ckload to transport and the whole economy would implode.

adam12's picture
adam12's picture
adam12 Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 4:20pm

The Saudis got their production back up and running in less than a week after the attacks, it had no effect on supply, plus they have a heap in reserve. These price hikes are local profiteering.

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 4:28pm

Thanks Adam!

Smorto's picture
Smorto's picture
Smorto Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 4:36pm

Maybe true, but they are nonetheless using it has justification for the price hike. Also it did definitely impact on production (but only for about a week as you have said) and the price is determined more by their daily barrel production as opposed what they have in reserve.

Regardless of the specific impacts of this incident, it still shows how much the saudi's influence oil prices and the need for new exploration.

Laurie McGinness's picture
Laurie McGinness's picture
Laurie McGinness Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 4:44pm

No Smorto it demonstrates the need for us to end our reliance on fossil fuels which can still be done witnout massive economic disruption but shit we wouldn't want our efforts to save the world from catastrophic climate change to intefere with your right to drag a diesel behemoth around the continent so you can go surfing, that would be totally unreasonable!

Smorto's picture
Smorto's picture
Smorto Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 4:53pm

Totally agree!! Except with the part where you say it can be done without massive economic disruption.

Explain how please because if you can you're our messiah and should be made prime minister. If not you're just another loud protester good at identifying problems but horrible at coming up with suitable solutions.

If you cant then join the rest of us realists who know that it will be at least another 30-40 years before we have an alternative that's good enough to replace fossil fuels that can also be afforded by first world low income earners, let alone the third world.

Laurie McGinness's picture
Laurie McGinness's picture
Laurie McGinness Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 4:59pm

Have you ever been a consultant for a fossil fuel company? We had someone here before arguing your position. Turned out he had worked for Equinor. Oh worth a read. Much more where that came from......
https://energypost.eu/india-coal-plummets-renewables-stepping-in/

Smorto's picture
Smorto's picture
Smorto Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 5:10pm

Haha no way. Im straight down the middle politically and just love calling out the extreme views that seem to be pushed these days whether they be right or left sided, PC or anti PC.

We all need to chill the f*ck out and stop being so quick to assume the world's going to end tomorrow.

The solution to fossil fuels will come eventually and gluing yourself to roadways or paddling out in a circle isn't really doing much. The whole "oh but we're raising awareness" line is total BS, everyone is aware.

Less virtue signalling, more positive contributions to the discussion, less kids skipping school to protest and more kids doing science degrees to discover new technologies!

Over and out.

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 5:26pm

"Haha no way. Im straight down the middle politically and just love calling out the extreme views that seem to be pushed these days whether they be right or left sided, PC or anti PC.

We all need to chill the f*ck out and stop being so quick to assume the world's going to end tomorrow.

The solution to fossil fuels will come eventually and gluing yourself to roadways or paddling out in a circle isn't really doing much. The whole "oh but we're raising awareness" line is total BS, everyone is aware.

Less virtue signalling, more positive contributions to the discussion, less kids skipping school to protest and more kids doing science degrees to discover new technologies!

Over and out."

Very well said!.....

No matter where, here or media or social media or opposition political parties or crazy groups like Extinction rebellion, always see so so much criticism but it's super super rare to actually see realistic explanations or ideas on transition that wont see the economy go to absolute shit.

Mishad's picture
Mishad's picture
Mishad Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 7:32pm

Smorto, pipe down sunshine, no one wants to hear rational well thought out arguments on this forum.

Laurie McGinness's picture
Laurie McGinness's picture
Laurie McGinness Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 5:08pm

Final word. If you are actually concerned about the impact of an oil price shock on our economy the last thing you would propose would be to maintain or increase our reliance on it. The real risks to Australian oil prices are geopolitical and we have zero control over them.......except to move to renewables as quickly as possible.

shoredump's picture
shoredump's picture
shoredump Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 5:14pm

It already is $5 a litre. A buck seventy now then my grandkids are going to fork out the rest to clean it up later this century

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 10:17pm

Moving to renewables too quickly is actually what pushes prices up quickly

One day you would expect renewables from the grid should be cheap, much cheaper than coal or petroleum products, but when you initially transition it causes quite big price rises as we have seen happen in Germany.

The reason being as far as i can understand.

1. the grid upgrades that need to happen to deal with renewables, because the network needs to be changed as was designed as a centralised system, but needs upgrading to deal with many more smaller power plants like wind farms and solar farms etc (somebody has to pay for this so its the consumer)

2. Roof top solar, when people don't need energy from main grid energy company lose out and money for maintenance and upgrade of grid don't get paid

Id assume in time the extra charges on a electricity bill will be super high and even if your not hooked up to grid, as long as it pass by the front of you house you will have to pay, this will ensure there is money to keep maintaining and upgrading the grid.

So those that want to disconnect from the grid will still have to pay decent electricity bills. (like how water and sewerage operates) 100% this will happen, cant believe it hasn't already.

3. Base load issues, sunny windy day, base load company makes no money, then at night etc needs to maintain energy supply, we end up covering their loss.

Yeah sure base load in time will be replaced with renewable energy of some sort or batteries, you would expect they want be in any rush to do this maybe even will wait until our coal fired powers stations reach the end of there life or become unviable to use from a dollar point of view.

Putting off this aspect has advantages because this area of tech is likely to keep developing, if we bought in too soon, the tech could be outdated in 5 to 10 years or so like any tech. (that said looks like SA have lashed out on more big tesla battery's, going to be interesting to see how it all goes)

Maybe there are other factors?

Edit: this is an interesting read on the topic https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmurray1/2019/06/17/the-paradox-of-decl...

Bsm17's picture
Bsm17's picture
Bsm17 Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 9:26am

Couldn't agree more smorto! I love when they say they need to shut down mining and re employee working in renewable energy jobs. Its taken me over 10 yrs of qualifactions and experience to cement my position in the mining industry. You cant just swap. Stop mining economy crashes, perths and central queensland are still recoving from the mining bust almost 10 yrs ago.

jacksprat's picture
jacksprat's picture
jacksprat Sunday, 24 Nov 2019 at 1:36pm

How do you get to the surf? How do you travel overseas? For how long have you been doing this? Who is 'we'?

garyg1412's picture
garyg1412's picture
garyg1412 Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 8:32pm

Yeah well Smorto if the thousands of surfers who own a 4x4 dual cab refuse to alter their egos then we are f**cked. - well and truly with that mentality. It's like the comments furter on in this thread - we have to start somewhere. 'My surf session usually involves a 400km round trip and I use about 30 litres of fuel using my daughter's Holden Barina. Tightarse - yes. Environmentally aware - double yes.

maka2000's picture
maka2000's picture
maka2000 Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 3:47pm

yeah right, where's Greta Tunberg that little Norwegian bitch? she should be in the first line protesting against her country's company trying to destroy the bight.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 4:28pm

Erm, Greta is from Sweden.

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 7:27pm

Sweden - Norway? I don't think it matters to this misogynist twat.

bluediamond's picture
bluediamond's picture
bluediamond Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 5:36pm

Of all the people in the world you could direct your anger at for a positive change, you focus on a 16 year old girl and call her a bitch? Heavy...

Last pub's picture
Last pub's picture
Last pub Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 3:56pm

Come on are we hippos.
Wanna get real ride a horse.
Still then someone will complain about methane.

raz-bertleman's picture
raz-bertleman's picture
raz-bertleman Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 4:04pm

I wish for those Norwegian cu%#s to F off!!

The higher the price of petrol the greater the uptake of electric and hydrogen (capable of long distance) vehicles will be so that's a double fuck off

shortenism's picture
shortenism's picture
shortenism Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 4:50pm

$5 per litre would be the perfect price signal for mass roll out / adoption of alternative fuel sources.

Robwilliams's picture
Robwilliams's picture
Robwilliams Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 4:54pm

No oil rigs in the bight! Make a stand, protect what you love. Every person counts.

You don't have to be a radical greenie, just someone who enjoys the basic fundamentals of environments worth preserving , keeping the vested interests of a select few at bay.

Last turn out for Victor and Brighton was excellent, as where many other protests. Your effort is so important in showing that people do care and can rally themselves about important issues within the communities effecting them.

Of course they label everyday protesters as ill informed radicals. But with out you the fight stops. Who else is going to bring about change for today or tomorrow if you don't act? Fight the good fight protect what you love. Common Sense over dollars! Don't let them dictate to you the people, voice your concern. Thanks to all involved who keep this ball rolling.

Clam's picture
Clam's picture
Clam Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 4:58pm

Guessing Smorto works in the oil industry ? Its always these people who protest on instagram. Funny that when you look at the account of the pro oil protesters , they are looking after their own interests. Not the future of billions of children etc

kang's picture
kang's picture
kang Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 4:58pm

Its amazing how oil is explored, drilled, extracted, transported, refined, made into petrol, transported to stations (++ more steps) all for ~$1.50/L but then you'll go pay $4.50 for a 750mL water bottle at the same servo.

P'tai's picture
P'tai's picture
P'tai Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 5:18pm

That being the case, buy the farmers own or similar brand of milk to drink, at least the farmers get a kick back from that. Double up for the farmers and add in a meat pie! Release the inner grom, What was better than that after the morning surf!! (Oops opened up a can of worms there re methane gas emissions......... bad cows!)

P'tai's picture
P'tai's picture
P'tai Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 5:20pm

Cows with guns..............

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 5:18pm

Had to laugh yesterday when i saw a Mentawai charter boat FB page sharing this event, i was a good boy and resisted commenting but i hope the irony of hundreds of litres of fuel getting burnt every charter boat trip wasn't lost on everybody..

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 5:34pm

I think you’re underestimating the true value and role of the Mentawai charter boat industry. It’s more than just a floating surfclub cum public bar , it’s the last line of defence for the mental health of most middle age surf hounds worldwide.

Amongst lives torn between too much work , family demands, societal pressure to keep up with the Jones’s in material measures and with a diabetic inducing lifestyle threatening their very heart beat , the Ments charter boat is the ten day period which keeps the majority of our surfing elders alive. The mere idea of a distant Ments trip is enough to get most over the line despite leading lives of not-so-quiet despair.

If the Ments boats are literally responsible for reducing the duration of human existence on Earth through prodigious consumption of fossil fuels then so be it. That’s a small price to pay for the continued viability of the worlds ageing surfer population.

Personally I think those Ments Charter boats should be brandishing a huge Red Cross across their bows.

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 8:17pm

:P

brett68's picture
brett68's picture
brett68 Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 5:27pm

the hypocrisy of world travelled surfers protesting against oil is astounding - I certainly hope you walk/cycle to the protest and paddle to Indo/up the coast for your next trips.
While at it, strip everything out of your life with petroleum based origins (actually considering transport is involved in pretty much all production of good and services, there'd be nothing left)
I wouldn't expect much O & G knowledge on a surfing forum but maybe at least some basic economics - Smorto is spot on, forget filling your car, the knock on effects of $200+/bl oil for a sustained period are the stuff of nightmares
Can I ask why the Equinor drilling in the Bight has been singled out when there's been O & G explo and production off WA and in Bass Strait for decades - they get swells and conditions similar to the Bight and obviously have population, nature and livelihoods that would be equally effected?
No, I don't work in the oil industry.

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 5:45pm

Comes down to one main factor. The depth of drilling. It’s way deeper than the other operations and also the industries that will be under threat of a spill happens. It’s weeks away to get a plug to stop a big spill in the Bight and if that doesn’t work.. even longer. 

brainiac's picture
brainiac's picture
brainiac Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 6:06pm

As Craig said it’s the Depth and also the remoteness. Gippsland rigs Have some lee protection and is shallow , where as the bight is the one of the wildest oceans on earth. Also the bight is incredibly environmentally unique with 80% of species found there are not found any where else in the world. It’s marine breeding grounds for loads of oceanic animals, fish and organisms. Equally as important as the Great Barrier Reef, that we have already fucked.The fact that 2 of the biggest oil companies in the world have already turned down theses leases , based upon the risk element speaks volumes as well. Most importantly Australian people will see no oil or profit from this project as it will go to Norway which is part owner of equinor. The government gets their cut for the lease , a heap of fuckwits get their knobs polished and their palms greased and we get fark all. It stinks all round.

brainiac's picture
brainiac's picture
brainiac Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 6:15pm

The only other attempt to drill oil at these depths , was the deep water horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico 9 years ago . Still considered the biggest oil spill in history. The risk is far to great.

bluediamond's picture
bluediamond's picture
bluediamond Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 6:29pm

Super succinct. Cheers Braniac. Nailed it.

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 8:15pm

x 2, spot on.

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 6:21pm

Thanks for the extra detail brainiac

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 6:32pm

I have to say I'm not normally a supporter of these kind of things, but i think this one is a fair call, the depth and location does seem very concerning, if it was in shallow protected bass strait it would be a different story.

Concern on this one IMHO is warranted, but yeah still a fair degree of hypocrisy that most people will be driving a petrol powered car to the beach to paddle out on a surfboard and wetsuit made from petroleum products.

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 6:41pm

As I wrote in a FB reply ID..

Gotta start somewhere and some companies are already investing in cleaner materials, recycled products and looking for alternatives. Obviously we can't just down tools, cars, boards, wetsuits etc but we can start to make the transition.

wallpaper's picture
wallpaper's picture
wallpaper Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 9:57pm

I guess you think that the courts are hypocritical when they lock up bank robbers and kidnappers because after all those judges use money too

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 7:06am

That's was a terrible analogy that really doesn't make sense money is not a negative thing bank robber and kidnappers break the law hence why get locked up.

If the judge is corrupt and gets paid off to lessen a sentence etc hence also breaks the law, then yes 100% the judge would hypocritical.

Buzz1's picture
Buzz1's picture
Buzz1 Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 5:52pm

Can’t open the map. When’s the Manly paddle out?

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 5:56pm

11am this Saturday. South Steyne. 

Buzz1's picture
Buzz1's picture
Buzz1 Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 7:10pm

Cheers Craig.

jasper99's picture
jasper99's picture
jasper99 Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 8:42pm

A big reason to protest is the hypocrisy shown by Equinor and the fact its largely government owned I believe, and the Norwegian government has set a target for all vehicles in Norway to have zero emissions by 2025 yet happy to exploit the oil reserves of the Bight (which aren't even proven yet) while for want of a better term "cleaning up" their own country!

"The Norwegian parliament has set 2025 as the goal for all new cars to have zero emissions, compared with the UK’s 2040. However, such enthusiastic embracing of electric vehicles by ordinary Norwegians is not all down to ecological benefits but something more simple – money." Taken from The Guardian

It reeks of it!

More oil means more plastic too which is another reason for action like this.....

The Fire's picture
The Fire's picture
The Fire Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 8:44pm

You don’t have to be 100% fossil fuel free living to protest this cause..

Its no hypocracy.

I own a diesel. I grew up using petrol/plastic etc.

I surf the bight and call it home.

Im doing my “bit” these days to reduce and reuse but don’t get me started on cows and methane/nitrous oxide from fertiliser or the amazon burning.

Surely there’s safer places to drill for oil on this planet while we transition away from oil powered vehicle reliance.

Think electric bicycles for your local surfs.

I’m actually amazed at how much fuel we WASTE driving cars around and around in circles like nascar etc.

Never understood it.

Paddle outs are good, meet and talk with people who care like you do.

inzider's picture
inzider's picture
inzider Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 9:48pm

Walk down ride your horse to your paddle out in your hemp boardies with your balsa board and hemp leggie
Any one even considered they might be targeting gas not oil?

The Fire's picture
The Fire's picture
The Fire Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 10:01pm

Possibly dumbest comment ever^^

Thegrowingtrend.com's picture
Thegrowingtrend.com's picture
Thegrowingtrend.com Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 10:33pm

Has anyone seen this guy in Mexico?

Turns bottles into floating islands.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Island
Maybe we could fuck the Government right off and start growing.

wbat's picture
wbat's picture
wbat Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019 at 10:42pm

Shitty argument and won't change a thing but I just reckon some places just deserve to be left alone.

rooftop's picture
rooftop's picture
rooftop Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 12:41am

Don't worry, people of Earth, Smorto has a plan to avert catastrophic climate change...

...MORE OIL!

Honestly, how can advocating appropriate action to prevent worldwide disaster be an extremist political position?

The house is burning down and you're complaining about the noise of the sirens.

Apparently the only thing more important to protect than the health of the planet is the status quo.

I'll be there, I'll be driving to it, and to hell with the calls of hypocrisy too. As soon as I can afford an electric car I'll buy one. In the meantime I'm reducing my footprint wherever I can and putting my shoulder to the wheel.

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 7:19am

I dont agree with drilling oil at these depths and location, seems to high risk, but i dont think Smorto is pro oil, just being realistic in how the world operates like he said.

"Less virtue signalling, more positive contributions to the discussion, less kids skipping school to protest and more kids doing science degrees to discover new technologies!"

Ironically the saviour to many of these issues is capitalism its what is driving the renewables boom etc big money to be made by big companies and money to be saved by every day people (the main driver of why people put on roof top solar and will be the main driver of why the public will want an electric car that will take demand away from petroleum products for private transport)

jshe35's picture
jshe35's picture
jshe35 Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 10:53am

Yeah, how dare those kids skip school (who didn't- but going for a surf is different)to try and pressure (not able to vote yet) the "adults" in these pro-big business governments that according to a little bit of what used to be called reliable Science, such as NASA- have had a few Scientific achievements over the years- that there might over be a bit of a problem that needs addressing. Nah mate don't worry about it, too hard- Indo-Dreaming and Smorto are on the case, stop worrying. We will be right. Bloody kids doing stuff the adults should have started 20 years ago, how very dare they. Nothing to do with the fact that they will be the ones living on what's left to them- bloody virtue signalers, move on... business as usual.

lomah's picture
lomah's picture
lomah Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 8:11am

For anyone who wants to see the opportunities for Australia in a decarbonising world read Ross garnauts book superpower. Shows how Australia with a bit of foresight could utilise its natural advantages in solar and wind in all sorts of ways/applications. It’s a dry read but bits are fascinating and outlines a pathway that many people of all persuasions could support.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 11:36am

Yeah , Twiggy Forrest has just kicked in big time venture capital to pipe the energy from the huge NT solar field to Singapore to give them sustainable electricity.

Of course , it’d be way closer and cheaper to pipe it to the East coast of Oz where power prices are way higher than Singapore.

Wait ....how could Singapore energy prices be cheaper than Australia’s when we are the source of the gas which powers their cities ? Because we ship it over there before buying it off them to ship it back , of course !

So why would Twiggy be sending the solar to Singapore when it’s closer and cheaper to send it to East coast and therefore help cheapen energy , which is a HUGE contributor to the inefficiency of our economy and one of the primary reasons why business keeps their foot on the throat of wages ?

Because it’s Twiggy who is building one of the East coast gas import terminals whereby we can import our own gas from Singapore at massively inflated prices.

Go Twiggy !

Sounds like something Milo Minderbinder would pull in Catch 22 , right ? Yep . Anything and everything goes in the Australian Game of Mates.

And for effect , and to tie it into this thread : Why doesn’t our government spend a few billion on this solar project or similar, thus creating sustainable energy for our nation whilst heavily reducing the price of energy which is totally hobbling our economy ?

Not just that ....but if we reduce the immigration into the nation , we won’t need to pump unproductive billions into expanding the infrastructure just to accommodate them and freeing up cash to initiate innovative and necessary projects such as this ?

Just think .....lowered energy costs ( which , along with real estate costs are the biggest burden on businesses and residential budgets ) , sustainable clean energy , healthier environment, Australian jobs and industry.

Nah ....it’d never work.

Let’s just spend the money on keeping expanding the toll ways so that we can fit in more immigrants so that there’s more demand for real estate and overpriced , dirty energy. You might think I’m being overly cynical, but that is exactly what’s going down in The Economic Zone Formerly Known As Australia ( EZFKAA ).

blindboy's picture
blindboy's picture
blindboy Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 9:04am

In case you missed it last time there was talk of drilling in the bight.

&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR0hDyQ9jOGjzT_0ZQ6DO-KQ3uFx-b9pmC5PvjmMYFEYKrtG3Sjy1UfTN90

ojackojacko's picture
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ojackojacko Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 9:11am

hadn't seen that bb - fantastic

Bsm17's picture
Bsm17's picture
Bsm17 Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 9:47am

Next big mining boom!!! Lithium. See how many people protest these mines.
Everything humans produce comes from the ground. I hope one day there is another way but for now I don't see that.
Like Smorto said, the world doesn't need more whinges it needs more scientists and engineers in renewable energy sector.

blindboy's picture
blindboy's picture
blindboy Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 10:40am

Glad to hear that you are in favour of increased funding for R&D in renewables rather than our current large subsidies for fossil fuels. On the whingeing point, history pretty clearly demonstrates that it is the sqeaky wheel that gets oiled (ha ha). From the demonstrations to legalise daytime bathing over 100 years ago, through the Vietnam Moratoriums up to the same sex marriage campaigns ........ protests make a difference and often bring about the desired change.

On another point a number of people have commented that you have no right to protest if you use fossil fuels. This is well funded fossil fuel industry propaganda. There has been a significant effort to infiltrate environmental groups and push this line. The reality is that yes, you can make a difference, but the real need is for changes to government policy. Pushing individual responsibility is an old trick imported from the US gun lobby. That said, tourism is one area where sacrifices can be made without too much pain. I would encourage people, like me, who have travelled a fair bit to reconsider the next trip. Tourism is a pretty toxic business in many ways other than its climate impact and there are plenty of waves in Australia that can be accessed with far fewer emissions and less destruction of the local ambience.

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Blowin Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 10:57am

So you’ve decided to finally relent , admit that personal contributions matter and declare everyone should make a sacrifice by foregoing something you no longer want anyway.

All those Chinese tour buses ruining the ambiance of the NSW south coast ? Never thought I’d hear you admit to that .

But you know what ? I do agree. It’ll all come down to people not being able to lead the lifestyles we have now. It won’t be voluntary....the current delusion that personal responsibility doesn’t matter attests to that. We will be priced out and legislated away from the way we exist. It isn’t going to be a pleasant transition. The future is literally bleak if we don’t act soon. Jakarta bleak . Beijing bleak.

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mick-burnside Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 10:11am

if you care about the oceans......you should make the effort to get to a paddle out......black and white

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Bsm17 Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 10:17am

Also, does mass removal of fish from the ocean not have a negative environmental impact?
Im curious to know if your from the fishing industry and protesting are you more concerned about your income or the enviroment.
Not against the fishing industry, just curious where people draw their enviromental line.
For me its a balance between environmental impact and solid jobs for the working class to put food on the table.

AlfredWallace's picture
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AlfredWallace Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 1:58pm

Morto= Are you for real ? Obviously got links to Petro Chemical mobs.
I’m all for dearer Fuel. Hopefully makes us wake up to ourselves and reconsider how often we drive..
I don’t drink the shit, but I’m sure you’ll all pay $5 for a coffee.
Our Federal Government is the major player in this process, against all biological and scientific evidence they are still allowing Equinor the opportunity to submit a third time. They will finally get permission to proceed.
It’s the Australian way, short term views on everything, sell it now and worry about it later. What we are doing to our forests and already done to our animals(10 species of animals extinct in 50 years) worse record on the plant for that period. Makes me sick to be Australian these days to be honest.

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ojackojacko Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 2:58pm

A shame there's not one organised for the cennie coast - Avoca or Terrigal would be an obvious spot?

Craig's picture
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Craig Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 8:18am

Start one up..

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fishnsurf Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 3:25pm

At the end of the day the exploration will go ahead because the country depends upon it. It might not be the right thing for the long term but unfortunately thats not how our country or economy has been constructed. The only real thing anyone is concerned with is the here and now . We need oil and money and we need it today. The only way to overcome this is to create a country that isn't dependent on oil and money , but you need to use todays oil and money to do that. But that won't happen because the profits and its use are not used for that. Thats just the unfortunate reality of being ruled by people that value wealth and riches and them selves far more than the wealth and prosperity of the entire nation.

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Mishad Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 9:13pm

Yep, Good point. We are in a such top heavy resource dependent economy that if buyer of our exports suddenly sanction us (ie China et al) for sticking our tongue deeper into US govt asshole for example or some poly makes some mindless comment offending a foreign nation, the Australian economy would go into meltdown. The govt can't afford not to approve these projects unfortunately because, through lack of long term vision and foresight, it hasn't developed Australia into having diversified industries so that if one should be restricted or collapse, it wont be such a shock. The govt has back itself into a corner and the solution is not a quick one.

Blowin's picture
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Blowin Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 10:24pm

You’re both such dumb cunts that I don’t know where to start.

Mishad's picture
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Mishad Friday, 22 Nov 2019 at 4:03am

hmm ok. Thanks for your contribution.

Blowin's picture
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Blowin Friday, 22 Nov 2019 at 8:51am

Yes , way too harsh.

My point being that this specific project does nothing for Australia beyond jeopardise our coastline. The returns to Australia from this oil are so minor that they are barely worthy of mention in any discussion about enriching our country, whilst the potential for catastrophic accident is a reality .

fishnsurf's picture
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fishnsurf Saturday, 23 Nov 2019 at 1:03pm

None of the natural recourses are used to benefit the nation. Its all going to profits of private companies. Thats why it will go ahead.
The government doesn't represent the people. It represents those that are going to look after them long after their political careers are over.
The multinationals reap the profits and the rewards of natural resource rich countries while the tax payers are driven further into national debt and increased taxes.
Its CAPITALISM !!!

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tango Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 3:32pm

I'm always amused at the crew who go with the two great arguments of:

1) "You're a hypocrite....!" - rolled out to put down anyone who uses anything produced by civilisation and has the temerity to point out the problems it causes and suggest the production or use of it might be done better. There's generally a failure to recognise that these people (ie everyone) would use the alternatives if they were available and/or cost-competitive (and supported/subsidised by government policy like most of the poor performing things are now); and

2) The sudden shift will cripple communities/economy etc - when everyone knows that a transition is required to help people through it. Look at the example in Vic of immediate ban on old-growth logging and the proposed transition plan. The usual suspects are predicting the doom of life as they know it (no irony to see here..). The writing has been on the wall for decades, but they've failed to see it coming. All sorts of crap is put forward to try and delay the inevitable, which only serves immediate vested interests benefiting from the status quo and makes the landing even harder for communities affected.

These arguments get trotted out by those opposed to change for the betterment of society because it might upset their shareholders at every turn. Tobacco. Alcohol. Gambling. Racing. Banks. Really, how many times does it have to happen before people wake up? There's a lot of benefits to the proposed changes to the energy mix, and a lot of money to be made through change, you've just got to be a bit smarter about it. And that's not even touching on the sheer stupidity of risking a spill in the Bight.

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ojackojacko Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 3:48pm

hey tango - re your point 2, you can add slavery to the list of things that the naysayers argued had to be maintained for the economy and the common good

Bsm17's picture
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Bsm17 Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 4:48pm

I think the most of us do care about the enviroment and its future but just get sick of the environmental dooms day protesting

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shoredump Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 6:36am

No one thinks it’s a doomsday coming, not me, not Swellnet, not Greta or ER. We just want to leave the world in a better place, for future generations, than we found it. At a financial cost to ourselves. We can’t turn a blind eye to what has become an obvious consequence of our actions. We don’t have that level of greed where we could knowingly take the easier path, at the detriment to future generations, just for money in our back pocket.

Unfortunately most people think greed is good

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AlfredWallace Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 3:50pm

Well said Tango.
We (Australians) have had our heads in the sand for wayyy too long and our hard earned in the hands of companies whose shareholders ( yes that’s YOU mummy and daddy ) trying to make that little extra buck that ultimately and historically has had devastating affects on our country and the planet. Stop investing in unethical investments., and the first one should be any type of cattle farming, especially those that exist way inland well out of the range of any reliable rainfall. Had enough.

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Sheep go to heaven Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 9:56pm

Brad , there are many farmers these days doing a lot of positive stuff for the environment . Ever heard of Landcare ? Sure in the bad old past , it was clear land at all costs ,but these days its all about fencing off old growth bush , creating environmental corridors for plants and wildlife and the more progressive ones aiming to be carbon neutral - remember the old saying " If you want to criticise a farmer - don't speak with your mouth full !! "

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Clam Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 4:05pm

Its good to see some good peoples comments. Thanks to those thats tried to explain to the naysayers.

HB's picture
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HB Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 5:32pm

Is there a paddle out in the SE of SA? Don’t want to drive over the border or further north as that would defeat the purpose. Port M area would be good. If I could get the time I would do it myself but I’m struggling a bit. Need some help here please.

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freeride76 Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 7:35pm

Cl.imate change is here and now.

The three things I love to do: surfing, fishing and gardening have all been affected.

For as long as I've lived on the coast I've been able to feed my family with fish I've caught.
Not this year.

Had to change the diet. Vego 4-5 days a week now because I couldn't keep fish in the fridge.
Can't grow a veggie garden. All shop bought food.

I'll be paddling out even though I know this will make 5/8's of fuckall difference to climate change.
Got to start somewhere though.

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Horas Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 10:54pm

You are seriously deluded mate,how's that koolaid taste?."Can't grow a vegie garden" Give me a break.This is a cult that's out of control but of course we must listen to Saint Greta the puppet .5/8 s of fuck all mate.Hysterics rule .Business as usual where I am,you cunts are off the charts.FMD what a time to be alive.

freeride76's picture
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freeride76 Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 5:53am

nah mate, it's just the facts of whats happening.

nothing to do with what Greta says or what is in the media.

business as usual, she'll be right though eh?

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Lottolonglong Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 12:26pm

I know of many households on east coast that have very full gardens of veges this year,I also know of many fishermen that are absolutely killing it in the fishing department too

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Feralkook Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 8:10pm

Now given the nature of this project, where are Extinction Rebellion and the rest of that leftist rabble. Given their "Concern" for the climate and demands we shut down coal and fossil fuel use by 2030. one would think they would be gluing themselves to the doors of the company's involved in this project every day. Not too mention all those students who felt so strongly about being extinct by 2030 and the planet burning up. Will they show up.

velocityjohnno's picture
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velocityjohnno Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 9:15pm

https://www.carbonbrief.org/mapped-worlds-coal-power-plants
have a play with this interactive map, see where coal plants are closing, where they are operating, and where they are planned and building. With over 1000 new coal plants on the drawing board, the goose is cooked.

inzider's picture
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inzider Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 8:56pm

So what if they are targeting gas not oil?
Is this not a valid question?

fishnsurf's picture
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fishnsurf Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 10:06pm

why don't we let the aboriginal community decide, oh no wait we stole it fair and square from them this is capitalism at its greatest. the only way to stop this capitalist destruction is by destroying capitalism.

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tonks Wednesday, 20 Nov 2019 at 11:02pm

We all need to realise that fossil fuel won’t go away too soon cause we need them.All these protests aren’t going to achieve anything,the big wheels of business will still turn.Instead,we should all be doing what we can to help save the world from self destruction.We can’t change the world but we can try to make our little part of our world a better place.Maybe pickup that bit of plastic on the beach or not piss in the ocean & be good to one another.Love & Peace man!

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Island Bay Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 6:09am

The whole fucken point is to NOT need fossil fuels. To pressure lawmakers to change our economy to function in a post-carbon paradigm. That's the biggest thing we can do as individuals - force political/systemic change.

thermalben's picture
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thermalben Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 6:23am

I am still perplexed at the sheer volume of people who don't just disagree with the notion of climate change, or reducing the use of fossil fuels, but get extremely aggressive and angry at the same time. The worst of it resides within social media. I feel like I lose a few brain cells every time I scroll the commentary on Facebook or Twitter.

I mean, if you stood to personally lose money on an investment, or if you are employed in one of these industries and your job is at risk (i.e. a coal miner), then I can sympathise a little. Though, all investments have inherent risks, and many other industries have experienced significant job losses through other means and influences.

Why does this topic experience such a disproportionate amount of aggression?

How will a gradual transition towards renewables have such a negative effect on these people, that they feel compelled to attack?

Lottolonglong's picture
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Lottolonglong Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 12:30pm

I never used Twitter,or Instagram,IV given myself a FB ban and it feels good to be in my own thoughts rather than the aggression that I was seeing, I recommend to try it

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Courtney Dalton Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 2:31pm

Well said Ben.
All this economic fear mongering is total bullshit. Humans have an amazing resilience to adapt and improvise. Look at the WW1 and 2. Supplies were compromised all over the place. People adapted.

Oil is an easy status quo to hold on to. It's monetized it's utilised it's promoted by sexy cars and air travel etc.

The reality is we need to conserve our oil reserves. We need oil for important things that we now rely on..Plastics; a very fundamental part of the modern world.. Without it you wouldn't be reading this forum. We should be endeavouring to conserve oil reserves and not be risking our precious oceans and fragile ecosystem to burn around town in one passenger cars...
We can and will do better.
It's a matter of perspective.

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ojackojacko Sunday, 24 Nov 2019 at 2:57pm

hi ben. i think the answer is complex but a few of the contributing factors that i see are:

a general lack of trust in social and political leadership, and a traditional australian tendency to ‘stick it to the man’ - at the pub over a beer at least (which has some consistencies with modern-day social media).

an extremely well-funded and -orchestrated campaign to discredit the facts and maintain the status quo and the interests of those who are doing well under it.

an extraordinary level of venom in that campaign because there is so much at stake, because of how compelling the facts are, and because negativity and ‘divide and conquer ‘ both have a solid track record of success.

that level of venom filters down into everyday discourse.

undoubtedly other factors too

edit: and ‘greenies’ and ‘protesters’ are effectively set up as a strawman

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simba Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 6:52am

Simple ...people are scared of change...even if its for the better.

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Robo Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 7:07am

Guess you guys are all vegans, don’t drive/fly and have solar panels on your roof.

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thermalben Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 7:33am

Respectfully, I don't quite understand this kind of reply Robo.

I see it wheeled out all the time. I presume it's meant to point out the apparent hypocrisy (though Sean detailed this in his interview)... but honestly, it doesn't really add to the debate.

What are you views on climate change, transitioning to renewables? Do you think we should allow Equinor to drill in the Bight.. if so.. why? 

I am much more interested in finding out what surfers really think. Constructive debate can only be a good thing for everyone. I'm here to learn.

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Robo Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 8:41am

Ben, it was a bit of a tongue in check comment but true if you really think about it, how do us surfers get our blanks all our surf gear, boards sent all around the world and on and on it goes.
No way should they drill in the Great Australian Bight, i have solar panels so believe in renewables and haven't eaten red meat/chicken for 30 years, if people are going to protest/comment they need to prove they are actually doing something.
As for climate change i am 50/50. Equinor drilling in the Great Australian Bight is becoming a climate change protest and even cause for heatwaves and bush fires claimed by HJ in one of his insta posts. Guess if you are on the protest band wagon may as well make it for everything.

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Island Bay Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 8:46am

Pardon me if I'm being thick, but what do you mean by "As for climate change i am 50/50." ?

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Robo Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 8:53am

Obviously we are contributing towards it but no where near the extent the pro climate changers and greenies are telling us.

Island Bay's picture
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Island Bay Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 9:00am

So you don't believe 99% of scientists?

How about Newton's laws?

Robo's picture
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Robo Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 9:06am

lo scientists, they are getting funding paid for it, got to come up with something, similar to the oil barrens, all about the $$.

thermalben's picture
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thermalben Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 9:08am

Do you have evidence of this conspiracy? What exactly are they getting in exchange for risking multi-decade-long careers?

blindboy's picture
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blindboy Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 11:29am

Yeh why get a lucrative job in industry when you can score an underpaid, unreliable income as a climate scientist? All about the dollars ha ha ha ha ha ha!

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Island Bay Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 3:46pm

So what science do you believe in? I mentioned Newton's laws. Do you believe on them, or was he just a corrupt 'scientist' speaking out of his rear end, too?

Standard Mechanics (physics)? General Relativity? Laws of Thermodynamics? Quantum Mechanics?

thermalben's picture
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thermalben Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 8:59am

Sean discussed these kinds of tongue-in-cheek comments in his interview.

I don't think anyone's disagreeing, but if we're gonna make a change, we've gotta start somewhere. So why not here and now? 

The problem with off the cuff, tongue in cheek comments is that they tend to be picked up and amplified by those looking to validate their preconceived ideas.

Of which there's suddenly there's an onslaught of media focused around the apparent fact that 'surfers are hypocrites because they drive cars', completely bypassing the topic we should really be discussing, and that is "why should we allow Equinor to drill a new oil well in such a remote, dangerous place"?

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Robo Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 9:10am

I agree, we should focus on Equinor and leave climate change, drought, bush fires and every other agenda out of it.

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Robo Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 8:45am

As someone said in the other thread:

"Why no protest against the oil rigs dotting the horizon up at Exmouth / Ningaloo. Surely a spill there would be worse considering the reef nearby?"

Is that because no one cared when they went in? Are they still going in?

Maybe no ex pro surfers live in that area?

thermalben's picture
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thermalben Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 9:13am

See Protect Ningaloo.
https://www.protectningaloo.org.au/

Tim Winton wrote this article in The Monthly a year ago.
https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2018/december/1543582800/tim-winton/...

Robo's picture
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Robo Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 9:26am

Good read till i saw Peter Garret. He did his bit for the environment.

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/peter-garrett-was-in-charge-of-h...

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tango Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 9:09am

There's a lot of stuff in the world which is wrecking the joint, of course it's spread across all aspects of society, countries, classes, the lot. Everyone has a finger in the pie. But the fact is that it's unsustainable in the extreme and we're collectively wrecking it for ourselves and our kids - I'm not sure where the extra 4 planet Earths are going to come from to support us all as the world catches up to our western standards of living.

Point is, we need to change our ways and provide the conditions for people to develop and patronise methods of production, transport, etc which are good for us in the long term rather than try and protect the status quo who are making a literal killing now and leaving a legacy our kids won't be able to afford to fix. Necessity being the mother of invention and so on. Even if you think climate change is a con, you can't argue with the fact that towns are running out of water, species are becoming extinct, extreme weather is becoming more common, global population is going gangbusters and all manner of other signs that there is a need for change or we are up the proverbial. You can't stick your head in the sand and say it was ever thus, because it clearly was not.

Trying to tell anyone they are a hypocrite has a smidgeon of merit, but I think the much stronger point is that the choices available to people will dictate how they behave, what they purchase etc and we need to be in the business of developing, supporting and promoting alternatives. The current paradigm and the choices available mean people often have no other option than to use the bad stuff or the bad method of doing things. Sure, they could just abstain, but in the main that really is being unrealistic.

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bigtreeman Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 12:20pm

I know a guy who was over in Tierra del Fuego, doing diving for an oil rig down there. So they do it in some pretty nasty places.
The risks of a leak and damage caused is too much.

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PKsswellnet Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 1:05pm

Great comments Ben, thanks for keeping forum and swellnet on track and away from the mire of personal attack.
The doomsday picture for industry if we shift to renewables is an interesting point, what Im seeing is some in industry are out ahead of this and now starting to drive some of the change. Politicians have failed at all levels. For example many of the energy companies are now striving to move away from coal and get into renewable markets. Pilbara mines trialing hydrogen driven trucks, Gupta planning on running a steel plant on renewables, yes and twiggys solar plant to export power. Large coalition of the worlds biggest companies committing to reducing CO2. These industries are run by smart folk who understand the need to change. As for their motivation Im not that concerned its action we need not more people validating their point of view and trashing others. I don't care if it is a profit motive or true believer as long as it is action. We need both.

https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/sanjeev-gupta-steps-up-137b-renewab...

Logical's picture
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Logical Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 2:54pm

BULLSHIT - support Big Oil
Australia desperately needs local oil.

http://theconversation.com/australia-imports-almost-all-of-its-oil-and-t...

And if not from the Bight - where from - some poor 3rd world bastards back yard......hypocrites.

Or do you buy the electric car bullshit
Google - 33,0000 nissan leaf battery
Story all over the web of a new Nisan Leaf battery $33,000. Yet car was only 8 years old and $52,000 new.

Logical's picture
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Logical Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 3:03pm

People need to accept the technological limitations of where humanity is now.

The real issue is " risk management" while we burn and pollute etc until the new fusion reactor proves to work, still 30-50 years before rolled out,

So the reality is climate change is not the answer - we need
GLOBAL POPULATION REDUCTION
7 billion people today
12 billion in about 30 odd years.

Insect, Animal and Fish extinctions are 100% guaranteed WITHOUT CLIMATE CHANGE.
by people clearing land to live on and farm and having to eat.

simba's picture
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simba Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 4:10pm

Logical,mate thats too logical..........we need the population to breed up more so we can all complain about climate change,state of the roads,pollution,lack of food and water,why we need more schools and hospitals etc and as we suffocate with the quagmire of way too many humans we might think of why we got into this situation.
But that could be too logical..

Logical's picture
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Logical Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 5:53pm

We got that way by rewarding 3rd world over population with Australian Citizenship's.

Instead of putting trade sanctions onto India, China, Asian countries, Africa and South America for creating a extinction level event from gross population mismanagement.

Robo's picture
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Robo Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 7:00pm

Yeah and the greenies who are also behind the dramatisation of climate change want to let more people in.

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adam12 Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 7:47pm

Robo, it is the LNP, who are also behind the denial of climate change, who are letting more people in. They are in power and have been for the bulk of the last 30 years, they set the intake numbers. The Greens policy is to dramatically reduce the intake. Those are the facts, but don't let that stop you spouting the bullshit you have been peddling on these threads recently.

Robo's picture
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Robo Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 9:12pm

No need to get abusive. Think you’ve been schooled below lol.

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Blowin Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 9:01pm

Facts ?

Show me exactly where the Greens dramatically want to reduce the immigration intake . Show me a single iota of policy to back your ridiculous assertion.

Greens can’t secure population growth because that’s ....RACIST.

Yep, they are that stupid. Literally jeopardising the very viability and existence of our nation with their nonsensical and unnatural notion that this fragile land has no finite limit on the population it can support.

And the irony is that they’re so continuously preaching just HOW MUCH we can learn from the indigenous people who existed so sustainably for millennia.

The First Nations knew the carrying capacity of the land , but unfortunately, in this instance.....the Uber Suburbanite Greens know better .

Because a life lived within 3 train stations of Redfern gifts an endless wellspring of knowledge regarding the Australian environment.

Same goes for Estrogen rich Albanese

indo-dreaming's picture
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indo-dreaming Friday, 22 Nov 2019 at 9:43am

Yep its the first ive ever heard of Greens wanting to reduce immigration, i though they were all for open borders?

inzider's picture
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inzider Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 9:02pm

So no one can answer my question
What if they are targeting gas NOT oil?

A hole they drilled in the bight back in 2003 cost over 50 million $. thats
817,882 barrels of oil at current prices to cover cost of drilling the well
The costs have tripled in the last decade

So why the fuck would they be bothered spending hundreds of millions on a chance to strike oil that they can barely make money off once all extraction costs are factored in?

Maybe they are looking for gas?

velocityjohnno's picture
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velocityjohnno Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 10:10pm

I'll have a go at answering - from prior reading, isn't it a rule of the lease that you have to drill in a certain time to keep the lease open? And not knowing future pricing, it becomes prudent to satisfy govco leases to keep the option?
There's masses of floating LNG being developed, as you are no doubt aware.

Booka78's picture
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Booka78 Thursday, 21 Nov 2019 at 11:17pm

Well I’m going to be attending because this is a sh#t idea. I don’t care what they are planning to rape & leave.

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stunet Friday, 22 Nov 2019 at 1:50pm

Latest count, 62 paddle outs planned for tomorrow.

Robo's picture
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Robo Friday, 22 Nov 2019 at 6:54pm

The way they are going about it will make 0 difference, tagging the pm in insta posts blaming him for droughts, bush fires and heat waves is laughable. Talking to deaf ears, they need to find a way to work with the government instead of bagging them, just sounding like the rest of the climate change tree hugging greenies.

Also driving and flying around the country no different than the politicians they are blaming, maybe take a leaf out of Gretas book and get on a sail boat.

Gee Sea's picture
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Gee Sea Friday, 22 Nov 2019 at 7:47pm

It only costs 150 dollars in charges to drive 20,000 kms around Australia in an electric car.
Let’s look to the future.
Another reason to adopt electric vehicles is fuel security. Last audit we had 18 days worth of petrol and 22 days of diesel in this country. We don’t refine it. We import it. Who wants to rely on Asian refineries to keep our country viable?

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velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno Saturday, 23 Nov 2019 at 3:22pm

Gee Sea interesting $150 to get around Oz (yes, please), and agree completely with you on fuel security. One correction: we still do refine fuel in Australia, refineries that remain and I know of are BP Kwinana, former Shell owned Corio, Altona as well I think. Maybe one left in Sydney (Kurnell?) But your point still stands, who wants to rely on Asian refineries and the bottleneck of the Straits of Malacca, much better to make our own energy (electrons) in house from renewables if we can.

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Saturday, 23 Nov 2019 at 8:13am

.

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Saturday, 23 Nov 2019 at 10:50am

Huge turnout in Byron Bay.
massive paddle out.

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Saturday, 23 Nov 2019 at 11:40am

Impressive turnout at Thirroul too, especially considering it had all of two days organisation. Wide array of people turned up, makes me think the messaging is cutting through.

blindboy's picture
blindboy's picture
blindboy Saturday, 23 Nov 2019 at 12:56pm

Big turn out at Mollymook also.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Sunday, 24 Nov 2019 at 10:26pm

swellnet Oz wide - Bight Paddle Out.

https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2019/11/24/fight-the-big...

#Equinor
https://www.ina.wiki/tags/equinor

GABA
https://www.fightforthebight.org.au/

https://www.fightforthebight.org.au/social-streams

https://www.instagram.com/greataustralianbightalliance/

https://www.facebook.com/GreatAustralianBight/

Oz Surfers Unite.

Sunny boys -
https://media.apnarm.net.au/media/images/2019/11/24/v3imagesbin97bc3a688...
https://media.apnarm.net.au/media/images/2019/11/24/v3imagesbinfe9b3b89c...
Micro Gromz are up for a fight.
https://media.apnarm.net.au/media/images/2019/11/24/v3imagesbinf8908fd5e...

Burleigh Heads
http://www.mygc.com.au/thousands-to-paddle-out-in-nationwide-protest-for...

Currumbin (Parko & Mick)
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/11/23/05/21365784-7717055-image-a-100_...
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/11/23/05/21366632-7717055-image-m-99_1...
https://editorial01.shutterstock.com/wm-preview-1500/10483265s/9a6929bb/...
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/ba7fbf220a1e29b855bbb05ba0654540?wid...
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRN-_uP2Re4JTEP_f9j...
https://sl.sbs.com.au/public/image/file/fcb87c25-7dcb-473d-b1f6-bb35d0a1...
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQKLC9vR38kXz_NVkJu...
Old School Micro Gromz... also up for a fight
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/11/23/05/21366800-7717055-image-a-101_...

Byron
https://beachgrit.com/2019/11/longtom-on-australia-wide-anti-oil-drillin...
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ2iovH9MkgWEo-65B3...
https://media.apnarm.net.au/media/images/2019/11/24/b882165188z1_2019112...
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTwNEZk83_n9Bgg93nI...

Coffs Coast
https://media.apnarm.net.au/media/images/2019/11/20/v3imagesbinc4e688c2c...
https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2019/11/23/hundreds-join-the-fight-for-the-bi...

Central Coast
https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2019/11/23/coasties-join-fight-for-the-bight/

Manly
Craig's epic photos see (Below)+(Top) swellnet 2019/11/24 fight the bight day action


https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2019/11/23/anti-drilling-bight-...

Bondi
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7717055/Actor-Simon-Baker-surfe...

Saphire Coast
https://www.begadistrictnews.com.au/story/6504567/sapphire-coast-to-figh...
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQYNKmenXa-89z-DVC5...

Tasmania
https://www.examiner.com.au/story/6507415/hundreds-support-fight-for-the...

Geelong / Torquay / Bells Beach
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/d063831a223d34111c263f03e42dfa74?wid...
https://timesnewsgroup.com.au/surfcoasttimes/news/thousands-more-fight-f...
https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/e0eq94/paddle_out_in_torquay...
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/activists-rally-to-protect-the-great-austral...

SA/Victor Harbour
https://www.northweststar.com.au/story/6507517/poll-shows-sa-support-to-...
https://www.2gb.com/go-back-to-norway-layne-beachley-slams-bight-oil-dri...
https://www.facebook.com/7NEWSAdelaide/videos/2704560243090885/
http://radioadelaide.org.au/2019/11/24/paddle-out-for-the-bight/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/liamjon-d/49113808746/in/photostream/

WA
https://thewest.com.au/news/augusta-margaret-river-times/paddle-out-to-m...
https://www.facebook.com/events/564854934086718/

warddy's picture
warddy's picture
warddy Sunday, 24 Nov 2019 at 1:11pm

You had a late night TBB
Thank you as always for references ...
Was in the Paddle out at Currumbin...
Lots of people but didn’t see any News Reporters .....
Maybe if somebody yelled out SHARK!!!
They would of all come out of the woodwork ...
Disappointing if no news coverage...

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Sunday, 24 Nov 2019 at 10:53pm

Thanx warddy...arms were getting tired around then...
paddled back around thru the Alley & flushed out your Mob.
You won't be disappointed with the big guns salute!

No fly Zone Drone shots over 'Currumbin' Paddle-Out.
Not sure if that includes News Cams...reckon it might!
2019 WSL took 3 yrs to score 'only' Snapper Drone licence!

wbat's picture
wbat's picture
wbat Saturday, 23 Nov 2019 at 10:52pm

Margaret River was solid. Conservative estimate 200 people.

maka2000's picture
maka2000's picture
maka2000 Sunday, 24 Nov 2019 at 8:20am

Shame on media for poor coverage, no channel gave this news a proper time and problem explanation. Most of people thought it's another rebel extinction idiotic protest.

Robo's picture
Robo's picture
Robo Sunday, 24 Nov 2019 at 3:21pm

The only people watching free to air news anymore are over 50- 60's, wrong audience.

maka2000's picture
maka2000's picture
maka2000 Sunday, 24 Nov 2019 at 7:02pm

What's the right audience then? I thought this issue is about all aussies of all ages.

jacksprat's picture
jacksprat's picture
jacksprat Sunday, 24 Nov 2019 at 1:40pm

And how is everyone getting to the protest? Horse? Kite? What will they be paddling out on? Too late for chat. No point in protest. Ditch you car now. No more pe foam, polyester resin, neoprene etc etc. Otherwise words are cheap.

mikehunt207's picture
mikehunt207's picture
mikehunt207 Monday, 25 Nov 2019 at 12:32am

I walked from home if thats worth anything? (The car park was filled with new Prados and 200 series Cruisers after all this is WA and all the mums need a big car for their quiver or their SUP apparently so you do have a point I guess). Good turnout tho, 250-300 I reckon.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Monday, 25 Nov 2019 at 9:51am

tbb's words are cheap, often wishes they we're free.
Also born into the wrong audience of 50-60 year olds.
Welcome to half of tbb's upcoming drought water rations.
Got solar but Power use is dropping away faster than tbb.

Squints at blinking jumpy pensioner 9 news TV
Reporter said Burleigh & Bondi but never saw a blinking thing.
All say get a new TV...'this was that new TV.
How about you all get a new TV & see how you like it!

tbb refuses to wear slavish mobile Phone or watch
Never once paddled a board for any Swim-outs.
Hardly walk but managed to whip round Oz rallies (Above)
Truthfully tbb is catching the Bus/Train/Tram today.

tbb is a crosswired technophobe
GO Card machines (There!...tbb said it.)
1.Japanese(yen) 2.Chicken Chow Mein 3.Tap > Social Credit Score
tbb tip! If in doubt just hit the [ CRY BUTTON ] then curl into a ball.
Hand over yer wallet to Indian Tech Guru to top up yer Go Card.

Brave Qldurr tries a 'Fair Machine'..Holy Shit! [ABORT] [ABORT]

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Monday, 25 Nov 2019 at 12:11pm

https://carolinacowboy.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/11233491_101532877823...
Jacksprat is 100% correct as paddle-outs are A grade clickbait for Trump Trolls!...Skegz are pretty much dead in the water where they sit (You know your soaking in it!). tbb is happy & proud to join with all surfers but time has come to stand on our own! The Skegz marine debris line-up of a Big Oil slick bedecking their Oil Rig creator. How on earth could any ever read this Big Oil Festival as a protest to oil...maybe if they turn their backs on these Oil Rigs instead of joyfully showering them. Note: Some slayed the beast & cut the head off big oil...
https://kelpandco.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Hallvard-Kolltveit-Fight...
https://scontent-lhr3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c0.135...

tbb suggests a 'clean free ocean nanosecond' to leave the oil slabs on the beach...to seal tbb's hippy deal we'll burn the bikini tops as well...All say Aye!
Ok! Maybe 100% impossible with Skegz oil addiction...so tbb has an easy (plan B).

Stick it to the Man by sticking to Skegz Cyclonic breakfast TV plan. Snap, crackle'n'pop your big oil cereal biscuits into soggy overflowing Council bins. Councils will immediately hotline big oil & say we've had enough of you peddling poison to our gromz now come & clean up yer own Toxic cocktail...(Kinda not like YM Efficiency clean up!)
Frees up the sea critters & clears the line ups of maiming marine debris...Ocean is perfect as it is...add nothin - surfjustsurf.

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Sunday, 24 Nov 2019 at 2:57pm

Huge turnout in Manly, was powerful, moving and brought the whole community together! Incredible day..

 

 

megzee's picture
megzee's picture
megzee Sunday, 24 Nov 2019 at 3:25pm

Hey Inzider…….. to answer your question, the Exploration Permits are for both GAS and OIL Permits EPP39 and EPP40 issued in June 2017. I reckon the seismic results will identify the "product' and the drilling program will be OIL or Gas specific.....
Since 2011, the Australian Government has awarded 11 exploration permits in the Ceduna sub-basin. Each permit has minimum work requirements (e.g. seismic surveys and drilling) that operators must complete to comply with the permit conditions. Equinor is the operator of two of these permits and are planning to drill one exploration well called Stromlo-1, which is in line with the conditions of the permit as determined by the Australian and South Australian governments.
I would put money on it there is a Seismic Vessel already chartered for a Campaign, December through to March....

inzider's picture
inzider's picture
inzider Sunday, 24 Nov 2019 at 9:31pm

Probably just going to drill a wild cat post hole to keep permit
Chances of finding profitable viable hydrocarbons after 1 hole are not that great