Liquor Watch
October, 2006, Page: 5
Imagine staring into the bottom of your empty wine glass and thinking that was the last drop of quality Hunter Valley wine that you will ever enjoy. This not so distant scenario is a very real eventuality for wine lovers in this country and it is as close as 2026 -just 20 years away.
An expert from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology has warned that climate change will ruin the popular Hunter Valley region's wine industry in two decades. Major winemakers in the area agree and have expressed fears for the Hunter's vineyards stating that variations in temperature will eventually result in wine of cask quality. A two percent temperature increase with significantly less rain predicted by 2026 would ultimately see an end to grape growing in the Hunter Valley.
A direct cause of climate change and global warming is from coal mining and the burning of fossil fuels as an energy source. The Hunter Valley is home not only to exceptional wine-producing vineyards but to 30 coal mines covering 520 square kilometres of the valley floor. Currently, proposals for 11 more coal mines are being considered for the region. Of these, the largest is Anvil Hill, to be located in the largest area of woodlands in the central Hunter Valley.
Not only will this mine significantly contribute to global warming effects, it will see the destruction of wildlife habitats and plant species unique to the area.
Anvil Hill coal mine, if allowed to go ahead, will only be in production for 20 years so will not produce any long term employment or benefits for the region whereas vineyards, dairy and tourism does. Anvil Hill will produce up to 10.5 million tonnes of coal each year helping to maintain Australia's reputation as the world's largest exporter of coal. A new coal loader is also proposed for Newcastle, which would increase coal exports from 80 million tonnes to 130 million tonnes per year. This is twice Australia's domestic consumption so coal not burnt here contributes to greenhouse gases produced elsewhere in the world.
Climate change is the biggest challenge facing our planet. The burning of fossil fuels to produce energy to power our homes and cars is no longer a sustainable action for humankind as world weather becomes more volatile due to global warming. fossil fuels such as coal can be replaced with clean, renewable energy sources such as wind turbines and solar panels that are viable, enduring, safe, and effective.
It may be an 'inconvenient truth' but global warming is a reality and it's happening now.
Desi Corbett, Freelance journalist associated with Greenpeace
dcorbettjournalist@yahoo.com.au
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