SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
U.S. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison listen to the U.S. national anthem during an arrival ceremony at the South Lawn of the White House September 20, 2019 in Washington, D.C. Prime Minister Morrison will participate in an Oval Office meeting, a joint news conference, and a state dinner during his official visit in Washington. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)
As Global Youth Demand Climate Action, Trump Heaps Praise on Coal-Obsessed Aussie Leader
The president gushed over Australia's continued extraction of the fossil fuel.
Sep 20, 2019
The pro-coal message from the White House Friday couldn't have offered a clearer contrast to young people across the world taking part in global strikes to demand bold and swift climate action.
President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison gave remarks to the press during a rare state visit. Trump heaped praise on Australia for its continued embrace of coal.
"They're really at the leading edge of coal technology," Trump said of Australia.
"Clean coal. Clean coal we call it," Trump added, referring to something that does not really exist.
The U.S. president went on to suggest that in terms of dangers to coal workers, Australia had "rectified that 100 percent," though miners in the country continue to suffer from debilitating mine dust-related diseaes.
Speaking from the Oval Office next to the Australian leader, Trump praised Australia for extracting its minerals and apparent digging capabilities.
"Coal as an example--you're a leader in safety in coal digging and we've actually studied it because we're doing a lot of coal and you almost have no--you know, you used to have a thing called black lung disease and in Australia you almost don't have it anymore," said Trump. "You got all of the dust down and they become wet mines basically."
"What you've been able to do with the environment having to do with taking minerals out of the ground, including--and especially because you know you're leading in coal--your record is so good in terms of illnesses from digging better than anybody in the world," Trump said.
An analysis released last month by the Australian Institute noted that Australia is the fifth biggest miner of fossil fuels and the biggest coal exporter in the world. "On any reasonable assessment of the data," the report found, "Australia is a large emitter with a profound global obligation to reduce emissions, not to mention economic and security self-interest."
"Australia has just 0.3 percent of the world population but produces 1.2 percent of world emissions, making it the 14th largest emitter globally," the analysis added. "Australia emits more greenhouse gases than 40 countries that have bigger populations than Australia."
Despite the country's rising emissions and evidence of the climate crisis, Morrison--who once brought in a piece of coal to parliament and shouted "Don't be afraid!"--has pursued a coal agenda.
In a statement last month, Greenpeace head of Pacific Joseph Moeono-Kolio, said, "The biggest driver of climate change is coal, and the Morrison government remains obsessed with it."
Hundreds of thousands of students in Australia that took part in the Global Climate Strike on Friday made clear they want change.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
The pro-coal message from the White House Friday couldn't have offered a clearer contrast to young people across the world taking part in global strikes to demand bold and swift climate action.
President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison gave remarks to the press during a rare state visit. Trump heaped praise on Australia for its continued embrace of coal.
"They're really at the leading edge of coal technology," Trump said of Australia.
"Clean coal. Clean coal we call it," Trump added, referring to something that does not really exist.
The U.S. president went on to suggest that in terms of dangers to coal workers, Australia had "rectified that 100 percent," though miners in the country continue to suffer from debilitating mine dust-related diseaes.
Speaking from the Oval Office next to the Australian leader, Trump praised Australia for extracting its minerals and apparent digging capabilities.
"Coal as an example--you're a leader in safety in coal digging and we've actually studied it because we're doing a lot of coal and you almost have no--you know, you used to have a thing called black lung disease and in Australia you almost don't have it anymore," said Trump. "You got all of the dust down and they become wet mines basically."
"What you've been able to do with the environment having to do with taking minerals out of the ground, including--and especially because you know you're leading in coal--your record is so good in terms of illnesses from digging better than anybody in the world," Trump said.
An analysis released last month by the Australian Institute noted that Australia is the fifth biggest miner of fossil fuels and the biggest coal exporter in the world. "On any reasonable assessment of the data," the report found, "Australia is a large emitter with a profound global obligation to reduce emissions, not to mention economic and security self-interest."
"Australia has just 0.3 percent of the world population but produces 1.2 percent of world emissions, making it the 14th largest emitter globally," the analysis added. "Australia emits more greenhouse gases than 40 countries that have bigger populations than Australia."
Despite the country's rising emissions and evidence of the climate crisis, Morrison--who once brought in a piece of coal to parliament and shouted "Don't be afraid!"--has pursued a coal agenda.
In a statement last month, Greenpeace head of Pacific Joseph Moeono-Kolio, said, "The biggest driver of climate change is coal, and the Morrison government remains obsessed with it."
Hundreds of thousands of students in Australia that took part in the Global Climate Strike on Friday made clear they want change.
The pro-coal message from the White House Friday couldn't have offered a clearer contrast to young people across the world taking part in global strikes to demand bold and swift climate action.
President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison gave remarks to the press during a rare state visit. Trump heaped praise on Australia for its continued embrace of coal.
"They're really at the leading edge of coal technology," Trump said of Australia.
"Clean coal. Clean coal we call it," Trump added, referring to something that does not really exist.
The U.S. president went on to suggest that in terms of dangers to coal workers, Australia had "rectified that 100 percent," though miners in the country continue to suffer from debilitating mine dust-related diseaes.
Speaking from the Oval Office next to the Australian leader, Trump praised Australia for extracting its minerals and apparent digging capabilities.
"Coal as an example--you're a leader in safety in coal digging and we've actually studied it because we're doing a lot of coal and you almost have no--you know, you used to have a thing called black lung disease and in Australia you almost don't have it anymore," said Trump. "You got all of the dust down and they become wet mines basically."
"What you've been able to do with the environment having to do with taking minerals out of the ground, including--and especially because you know you're leading in coal--your record is so good in terms of illnesses from digging better than anybody in the world," Trump said.
An analysis released last month by the Australian Institute noted that Australia is the fifth biggest miner of fossil fuels and the biggest coal exporter in the world. "On any reasonable assessment of the data," the report found, "Australia is a large emitter with a profound global obligation to reduce emissions, not to mention economic and security self-interest."
"Australia has just 0.3 percent of the world population but produces 1.2 percent of world emissions, making it the 14th largest emitter globally," the analysis added. "Australia emits more greenhouse gases than 40 countries that have bigger populations than Australia."
Despite the country's rising emissions and evidence of the climate crisis, Morrison--who once brought in a piece of coal to parliament and shouted "Don't be afraid!"--has pursued a coal agenda.
In a statement last month, Greenpeace head of Pacific Joseph Moeono-Kolio, said, "The biggest driver of climate change is coal, and the Morrison government remains obsessed with it."
Hundreds of thousands of students in Australia that took part in the Global Climate Strike on Friday made clear they want change.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.
To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good.
News & Opinion
Trending
Common Dreams, Inc. Founded 1997. Registered 501(c3) Non-Profit
Privacy Policy