Analysis Breaking Free from Fossil Fuels Campaign in Coal Exports in Newcastle - Case Study Example

SOC350 – Fossil Break Free (Draft Report) Introduction Background Dependency on fossil fuels has been a major cause for the acceleration of climate change and a threat to the modern civilisation. The “Breaking Free from Fossil Fuels” is a campaign with an aim of 100% transition to renewable energy (Break Free, 2016). The campaign is organised as a part of a global climate movement. This is through online campaigns, mass actions and grassroots organisations, which are in over 188 countries. The Break Free movement started in 2008 through linking activists globally. The social movement has been organising a mass action on Newcastle, Australia largest coal port as well as one of the largest coal ports globally. Fossil fuels have a lot of negative impacts on the environment and are a major cause of climate change (Wenzel, 2010). The campaign participants aim at coming together and take a bold move against fossil fuels. This is through proving that exporting fossil fuel means exporting pollution. The governments and fossil fuel industry have failed to engage in a conversation to come up with a solution. The current system has worked for decades without any viable solution (Wenzel, 2010). Based on the Paris climate agreement, which was in 2015, the use of global protests in 2016 has been chosen by many people globally. The Paris agreement acted also as an influence for people to fight for climate justice (Break Free, 2016). Aims Break Free movement aims at using non-violent confrontation (mass public actions, demonstrations and raising awareness) towards refineries, coal ports, coal plants and other fossil fuel establishments. This is motivated by the fact that the current government policies have failed in meeting the urgency required in addressing climate change. The campaign aims to increase their pace towards attaining 100% renewable energy (Break Free, 2016). Scope The focus of this analysis is based on the action taken by “Breaking Free from Fossil Fuels” campaign in coal exports in Newcastle in the context of global advocacy for divestment-in fossil fuels. The analysis will be reflecting on the aims, strategies and events that have been undertaken by Free from Fossil Fuels campaign. This will also take into account the motivations and strategies, which are employed by the movement in their global advocacy for 100%, move towards clean energy (Break Free, 2016). Methodology and research The research took a period of half month and started with a mass action organised by the Break Free from Fossil Fuels from the 7th to 8th May 2016. This event was organised at the Newcastle coal port in Australia as part of global action against fossil fuels (Break Free, 2016). The research used both primary (observations, interviews, campaign flyers and media) and secondary (Journals, books, climate change papers and policy documents) methods on the “Breaking Free from Fossil Fuels” campaign. This is on both the movement and the specific campaign to come up with the basis for analysis. Information was gathered about this specific campaign, its aims, and how it was organised. This also involved the use of theoretical framework gained from the literature among other reputable secondary information. Primary research This involved attending the “Break Free from Fossil Fuel” campaign from the 7th to 8th May 2016 and carrying out observations, talking with the participants and also activists. The information was also obtained using the flyers that had been distributed by the campaign. In addition, media reports and the statistics on fossils fuels were available online. It was useful to utilise the social movement website as a source of information (Break Free, 2016). Secondary sources Through the use of journals and books it was possible to come out with a theoretical framework. The theoretical framework helped a lot in analysing and reflecting on primary research. This consisted of theories on social movements, their roles and discussions on the use of new media to enhance modern social movements (Loader, 2008). In addition, the intergovernmental panel on climate change documents and the summary from policy makers were used. Findings Campaign aims The campaign has five main aims; to show resistance to the existing fossil fuel projects globally, make governments accountable on tackling climate change, make world free from pollution caused by fossil fuel industry, shed a light on the existing alternatives to fossil fuels and lastly calling to an end of overdependence on the fossil fuels. This can be achieved through putting pressure on the governments to implement Paris Climate Change agreement. This is a collective effort aimed at gaining climate justice and ensures a 100% renewable energy future (Break Free, 2016). Organisation and participation “Breaking Free from Fossil Fuels” is a global based organisation. It involves actions that take place in several countries with similar aims. The organisation plans for coordinated days in which actions are carried out around the world. The movement works in almost every country through leveraging power of the people. Participation is mostly organised through the website where members are communicating together. It is possible for new members to join through registering in the movement website. Communication is carried out through emails, online forums, and online newsletters. It is also possible to make calls to the movement and use other traditional means of communication. The movement has also been using flyers and posters to inform the participants (Break Free, 2016). Break free from fossil fuels 2016 campaign This is a campaign that was held in 7th to 8th may 2016 at the Newcastle where the largest coal port is located. The use of public protests like this one is one of the methods used by the movement. The main aim of this campaign was to pressure the industry and government on implementing measures that will lead to fossil fuel free future. This is through sending a message to the politicians and other leaders that action must be taken to stop fossil fuels. The involvement and participation was influenced by personal and community responsibility. The participants felt that they had a role to play in saving the community from the devastating impacts of climate change. The campaign involved groups of activists involved in environmental issues as well as participants who are against the use of fossil fuels. During the campaign, the common theme that was expressed by the participants was the failure of the current system in addressing dangers of fossil fuels. The government policies have failed to adequately reduce the use of fossil fuels despite the menace of climate change. This theme is justified by the fact that Australian government has approved a fourth coal loader, which is aimed at increasing terminal capacity. The theme is aimed at using social movement actions to force the government give support in transition from fossil fuels to 100% renewable energy. This campaign acted as a platform where people could give their voice on displeasure on the government inaction on fossil fuels (Break Free, 2016). Discussion Social movements act as collective ventures working for a collective course. They act as a temporary public space where collective action can take place (Della Porta and Diani, 2009). Based on this, the campaign is a collective movement against the use of fossil fuels. Newcastle is the largest coal port which operates for 24 hours daily annually (Cushing, 2009). In 2016, the coal in this port made up to 96.5% of trade. The port has been shipping coal for more than 200 years. Despite the community opposition, the NSW government approved a fourth coal loader (Break Free, 2016). The health impacts of coal to the community are evident. There have been cases of uncovered coal wagons which drive past schools, houses and hospitals leaving the community exposed to particle pollution that is toxic. This is attributed to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Civil disobedience as seen in this campaign has been vital in bringing vital changes globally. It has been used to fight for the rights of women and among other groups facing discrimination. It has been possible to see tangible changes through use of civil disobedience. The campaign is justified by the fact that the government has been doing too little in acting on fossil fuels. Human beings have moral and ethical imperative to take action that will lead to 100% transition to fossil fuels (Hoffert, 2010). The campaign was open, all-inclusive and there was respect for those who opposed. The campaign has defied hierarchy and status quo to come up with the best for the community. The “Break Free” campaign in Newcastle involved working together for a common cause (Break Free, 2016). Evaluation It is hard to approach the success of the Break Free movement especially in Australia. This is due to fact that fossil fuels are still in use despite the campaigns (Hoffert, 2010). Nevertheless, there is evidence that tangible success has been attained. This is through creating awareness on the dangers of fossil fuels and the eminent threat of climate change. The movement has created a global uprising against the use of fossil fuels. The campaign has benefited immensely from the intense media coverage. The Australian government has started making policies which are aimed at reducing reliance of fossil fuels which is an indicator of campaign success. There has also been an increase in installation of clean energy in the country. The campaigns have gained political and social legitimacy through the state. The campaign is a gradual movement that advocates for a transformation of Australia from overdependence on fossil fuels. It is a social movement that is highly accepted globally by both public and political arena. The public has now been educated and has access to information on climate change and how it affects their lives (Break Free, 2016). Conclusion To sum up, use of collective action by “Break Free from Fossil Fuel” campaign has been able to gain global momentum. At the moment, the movement is in almost every country globally. The action at Newcastle was very appropriate and successful. This is the largest coal port globally and a major contributor in environmental pollution. The aim is to pressure the government to act on fossil fuels and address climate change. The current system has failed to succeed in curbing climate change hence needs for social action. Through social movement, it has been possible to create awareness and force the government into action. “Break Free from Fossil Fuels” campaigns will continue playing an important role towards attaining 100% renewable energy globally. Appendix Source: (Marcon, 2016). Source: (Marcon, 2016). References Break Free, 2016, Australia: Break Free from Fossil Fuels, Breakfree2016.org, Retrieved 1st June 2016 from, http://australia.breakfree2016.org/ Cushing, N., 2009, “Australia's Smoke City: Air Pollution in Newcastle”, Australian Economic History Review, Vol.49, no.1, pp.19-33. Della Porta, D. and Diani, M., 2009, Social movements: An introduction, John Wiley & Sons. Hoffert, M.I., 2010, “Farewell to fossil fuels?” Science, Vol.329, no.5997, pp.1292-1294. Loader, B.D., 2008, Social movements and new media, Sociology Compass, Vol.2, no.6, pp.1920-1933. Marcon, 2016, Australia, Marcon International, Inc.Retrieved 1st June 2016 from, http://www.marcon.com/marcon2c.cfm?SectionGroupsID=51&PageID=2296 Wenzel, H., 2010, Breaking the biomass bottleneck of the fossil free society, Concito. Read More