Understorey: Divest Adani

Divestment is being defined as a tool of democratisation aimed at finance. Understorey follows the money, particularly when governments and companies don’t move to act on the developing global climate emergency. In the 21st century, environmentalists are increasingly asking big questions about corporations.  Companies don’t breathe fresh air, or drink clean water.  Their logic is to only accumulate profits for shareholders.  But can the planet sustain that simplistic model of commerce?  Adani’s plans for Galilee Basin may impact on the global climate emergency, local communities, the Great Barrier Reef, water, Indigenous rights, and our shared future.   Even if governments give such corporations legal approvals, many in the community argue that business needs a “social license to operate,”  properly embodying social expectations and environmental values.  And if they are not required to do this by the regulators, perhaps market forces will see that they do.   Elizabeth PO’ speaks to campaigner Pablo Braitt from his home in lockdown Melbourne.

Photos: Stop Adani, including Adani’s coal at Abbott Point coal loading facility with coal water run-off moving North West into the Wetlands 11 April 2017, by Dean Sewell/Oculi