The Australian government's decision to increase gas mining in WA for the next 45 years did not consider cultural and environmental impact, global warming and climate change.
"Suddenly, a project which is now allowed to go ahead until 2070, it's going to ring alarm bells in a very, very, very big way."
This week, the news carried images of eerie orange skies as dust storms whipped across landscapes dried from record-breaking droughts. Further north, homes were submerged in floods exacerbated by heavier rain from a warmer climate.
And also this week, the Australian government approved the extension of one of the world's largest gas facilities until 2070.
But this decision isn't about climate change.
At least not under Australia's current laws, where the climate harm from fossil fuel projects doesn't have to be considered.
How can Australia approve a fossil fuel mega-project that will run until 20 years after the world is meant to reach net zero emissions?
"I think the average punter out there is basically saying, 'Hang on, this is about climate change and 2070, what are we doing? What in the hell are we doing?'" lamented Greg Bourne from the Climate Council.
The North West Shelf is already Australia's third-highest emitting facility in the country, producing about 6 million tonnes of greenhouse gas each year.
That's just the direct emissions from extracting and processing the gas and doesn't count emissions after the gas is sold, shipped, and burnt at its final destination.
Some estimates put the total lifetime emissions from this project at the equivalent of a decade of Australia's current emissions.
A decade. Think of it as pushing out Australia's climate goals by another 10 years.
It's not just climate experts warning that the world needs to stop expanding fossil fuels: the International Energy Agency says there is enough existing coal, oil, and gas projects to supply the world and stay the course to net zero.
"The world is awash in gas, primarily coming out from the Middle East, but lots coming out from America and so on like that. I think our Australian companies fool themselves into thinking that they're going to be the last company standing, pushing gas out there,"
"Climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing the global community and one of the greatest threats to Australia's way of life.
"It is time to act. It is time for procrastination to end … We cannot any longer afford to be complacent on this issue."
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