Signing on for day of virtual action for #NoNewGas

WORLD Oceans Day was observed on Monday this week, and environmental activists took to the internet to show their opposition to offshore gas developments along the Victorian coast.
The virtual paddle out campaign was held in response to the state Labor Government offering five parcels of ocean for tender within state coastal waters in the Otway Basin.
These five offshore acreage release areas cover 1,318 sq km and are located between Port Campbell and the South Australian border.
The Oil and Gas Acreage Release tender process would allow companies to explore for fossil fuels with a view to starting commercial operations.
To show their displeasure with the plan, activists staged a virtual paddle out. Instead of gathering in large numbers at the beach for a real paddle out – such as the multiple “Fight for the Bight” events held at Torquay’s Cosy Corner – people posted an indoor surfing, swimming or paddling image and posted on social media using the hashtags #NoNewGas and #StayInPaddleOut.
Local activist and leading Fight for the Bight organiser Damien Cole joined in on Instagram, posting an “Oil and gas – no way Otway” image and calling on Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Regional Development, Agriculture and Resources Jaclyn Symes to cancel the tender process.
“We’re running out of time to save our precious planet and Victorians will forever thank you for standing up for them,” he wrote.
“Oh and if you do go ahead, well if you remember the #fightforthebight, you’ll realise that you’re about to come up against some incredibly passionate communities who will stand up for their coastline and their planet, so get ready for a fight!”
Friends of the Earth campaigns co-ordinator Cam Walker said the Victorian Government should follow the lead of New Zealand and ban all new offshore oil and gas exploration or production.
“(Victoria) has embarked on an ambitious plan to grow renewable energy. It has launched a massive Solar Homes program and it has permanently banned the process of fracking to access unconventional gas. It has also rebuilt the Climate Change Act, which commits the state to net zero emissions by 2050.
“Encouraging new onshore and offshore fossil fuel production is completely at odds with the government’s own commitments under the Climate Change Act.