The federal court ruled in favour of younger generations' right to be protected from climate harm.

The legal battle between the Minister of Environment Susan Ley and eight highschool students was sparked by the proposed extension of the Vickery coal mine in NSW. 

A global first; the students, their legal representation, 86-year-old legal guardian Sister Brigid Arthur and the independent environmental experts won the case against the minister. 

The case was filled on the 8th of September 2020 during the peak of ‘School strike 4 climate’ protests that were held nationally. 

Back in Perth, Extinction Rebellion protesters gathered in front of Parliament house on Thursday afternoon with signs in support of the climate change legislature. 

The group of climate supportive grandparents shared concerns for future generations.

Credit: Anthony Collins

“The future is rather bleak if we don't do something now,” said the activists. 

They regularly sit along the verge of parliament house during climate change discussions in hope to open public discussion on the matter. 

Climate change activist, and protest organiser Anothny Collins gathered outside Dumas house on Friday morning.

The protest was held in response to the proposed Scarborough gas field project.

Major miners, BHP and Woodside planned to expand the current Pluto gas processing facility in the Burrup facility. 

“A decision to approve Scarborough gas would result in over a billion tonnes of new greenhouse gases being emitted. This would show that the climate action portfolio has no substance and is nothing but a name,” says Mr Collins.

As part of the global Paris agreement of 2016, governments cannot agree to any more fossil fuel projects if the goal of zero net emissions by 2050 is to be met. 

Mr Collins says, “after learning just 36 hours ago that the Environment Minister could sign off on Scarborough gas at any moment, we felt the need to show the community opposition that exists to this project as soon as possible,”.

Credits:
Photos in this article are credtied to Anthony Collins and Neelam Dajee