The Port of Newcastle, located 170km from Sydney, is the country's most important terminal for coal shipments. Around 3,000 people from across Australia participated in the 30-hour blockade, which had been approved by the police. However, after the protest cut-off point, dozens of protesters remained in the water, leading to 109 arrests. Among those arrested were five minors, who were later released. On Monday, 104 people were charged for refusing to leave the harbour channel.
The protest was organized by Rising Tide, who have described it as the "biggest act of civil disobedience for climate in Australia's history." The demonstration took place just days before the start of COP28, the global climate change summit in Dubai. Rising Tide is calling on the government to tax thermal coal exports and cancel new fossil fuel projects.
Australia has been criticized for its slow response to climate change, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised to join global efforts to reduce emissions. His government has set a target of reducing emissions by 43% by 2030, up from the previous commitment of 26-28%. However, the government has also approved new coal mines and has more projects waiting for approval.
One of the protesters, 17-year-old Anjali Beams, said she was risking arrest because young people's voices on climate change have been consistently ignored by decision-makers. She stated that she would not be complicit in allowing her future to be sold away for the profit of the fossil fuel industry.
In conclusion, over 100 people have been arrested during a protest at the Port of Newcastle in Australia, the world's largest coal port. The activists were protesting against the lack of action on climate change and the country's heavy reliance on coal. The protest took place just days before the global climate change summit and calls for the government to tax thermal coal exports and cancel new fossil fuel projects. The government has set a target to reduce emissions, but has also approved new coal mines. Young people, whose voices have been ignored, are taking a stand against the fossil fuel industry.
Original news source: Climate protest: More than 100 arrested at world's largest coal port (BBC)
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Write down words or phrases related to the article on separate pieces of paper. Each team takes turns sending one member to act out the word or phrase without speaking while their team guesses what it is. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
– News Summary
Instructions: Have the students work in pairs or small groups. Ask them to read the article and then summarize it in their own words. Give them a time limit, such as 5 minutes, to complete the task. After the time is up, have them share their summaries with the rest of the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of statements related to the article, such as "Taxing thermal coal exports is an effective solution to combat climate change." Have the students move around the room and find partners to discuss each statement. They should state their opinion and provide reasons to support it. After a few minutes, have them find new partners and repeat the process with a different statement.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a set of vocabulary words from the article. One student from each group will pick a word and draw a picture to represent it, while the rest of the group tries to guess the word. The student who guesses correctly gets to draw the next word.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group to argue the pros of taking action on climate change, while the other group argues the cons. Give them a few minutes to prepare their arguments, and then have a debate-style discussion, with each group presenting their points and responding to the other group's arguments. Encourage the use of evidence and examples from the article.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Over 100 people have been arrested during a two-day protest at the world's largest coal port in Newcastle, . The activists, who swam or used kayaks to block the port's shipping lane, were protesting against the lack of action on climate change. They claim that their disruption over half a million tonnes of coal from being exported. Australia is the second largest coal exporter in the world and relies heavily on the fossil fuel for its own needs. The Port of Newcastle, located 170km from Sydney, is the country's most terminal for coal shipments. Around 3,000 people from across Australia participated in the 30-hour blockade, which had been approved by the police. However, after the protest cut-off point, dozens of protesters remained in the water, leading to 109 arrests. Among those were five minors, who were later released. On Monday, 104 people were charged for refusing to leave the channel. The protest was organized by Rising Tide, who have described it as the "biggest act of civil disobedience for climate in Australia's history." The demonstration took place just days before the of COP28, the global climate change summit in . Rising Tide is calling on the government to tax thermal coal exports and cancel new fossil fuel projects. Australia has been criticized for its slow response to climate change, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised to join global efforts to reduce emissions. His government has set a of reducing emissions by 43% by 2030, up from the previous commitment of 26-28%. However, the government has also approved new coal mines and has more projects waiting for approval. One of the protesters, 17-year-old Anjali Beams, said she was arrest because young people's voices on climate change have been consistently ignored by decision-makers. She that she would not be complicit in her future to be sold away for the profit of the fossil fuel . In conclusion, over 100 people have been arrested during a protest at the Port of in Australia, the world's largest coal port. The activists were against the lack of action on climate change and the country's heavy reliance on coal. The protest took place just days before the climate change summit and calls for the government to tax thermal coal exports and cancel new fossil fuel projects. The government has set a target to reduce emissions, but has also approved new coal mines. Young people, whose voices have been ignored, are taking a stand against the fossil fuel industry.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What are some reasons why people might participate in a protest like this?
2. How do you feel about the government's response to climate change in Australia?
3. What do you think are the most effective ways to address climate change?
4. How would you feel if your voice and concerns were consistently ignored by decision-makers?
5. Do you think civil disobedience is an effective method for bringing about change? Why or why not?
6. What role do you think young people should have in addressing climate change?
7. How do you think the fossil fuel industry can be held accountable for its impact on the environment?
8. What are some alternative sources of energy that could replace coal?
9. Do you think it is fair for the government to approve new coal mines while also committing to reduce emissions?
10. How would you feel if your country heavily relied on a fossil fuel for its energy needs?
11. What are some potential consequences of not taking action on climate change?
12. How do you think the government could encourage the development of renewable energy projects?
13. Do you think taxing thermal coal exports is a good solution to address climate change? Why or why not?
14. What role do you think international cooperation plays in addressing climate change?
15. How would you feel if you were one of the protesters risking arrest for a cause you believe in?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!












