#Australia is Giving These Endangered Finches a Lump of Coal This Christmas

The Construction of This Mine Will Doom Australia's Bird of the Year. Sign to Demand Australia Save it.

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Dear friends, All hail the black-throated finch! The bird just won Guardian Australia's "Bird of the Year" contest in which tens of thousands of Australians voted online for their favorite feathered friend. This year, 11,153 voted for the finch crowning it king for a year. But it seems like all that love may not be enough to stop the government from signing its death warrant. Over the years, the bird has lost 88% of its historical range due to human development. Agriculture, housing, and transportation projects have steadily been pushing the birds out of their traditional range. In fact, the Guardian notes that since it was listed as endangered, 775 proposed development projects have been submitted — and the government has rejected only one. And now the finch faces its biggest threat yet: the Carmichael Mine, a project proposed by serial polluter and billionaire Gautam Adani of the Adani group.   At peak capacity, the mine would produce 60 million tons of coal per year and span 173 square miles, making it one of the largest coal mines in the world. Thirty-seven of those square miles cover the last remaining stronghold of Australia's favorite bird.  The mine threatens to push the black-throated finch to extinction, increase carbon emissions, and contribute to the warming our oceans. Yet, the Australian government has not only given it the green light but is willing to fund it with 4.4 billion dollars in public funds! According to a recent report, the Adani mine would even receive subsidies in the form of public handouts, tax loopholes, free water, and other favorable deals throughout the mine's proposed 30-year lifespan. Stand up for Australians, for wildlife and the environment, and tell Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier of Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk that giving public monies to this environmental catastrophe is unacceptable. Thank you,   Andrew M. The Care2 Petitions Team P.S. The Australian government is willing to pay billions for a coal plant that will kill an entire species. Sign the petition.