Fifty religious leaders say no to Adani Carmichael mine
More than 50 religious leaders have banded together to urge Adani to abandon its Queensland coal project and invest in renewable energy instead.
Christian ministers, rabbis, nuns, ordained Buddhists and imams from across Australia have written a letter that will be hand-delivered to Adani's Townsville headquarters on Wednesday.
"Protecting our common home and all those who live here is an essential part of each of our faiths," they wrote in the letter to Adani chairman Gautam Adani.
The leaders oppose all new coal mining in the Galilee Basin, with fears it could impact on water supplies, climate change and the Great Barrier Reef.
Adani has argued the $16.5 billion Carmichael mine would be a boon for jobs in struggling areas of regional Queensland.
The religious leaders said they also supported local jobs and has called for an increased investment in renewable energy like solar.
"Coal communities need serious investment to make the transition from the dirty energy of the past to the clean energy of the future," they wrote.
The letter has several high-profile signatories, including Muslims Australia President Dr Rateb Jneid and Anglican Dean of Brisbane Dr Peter Catt.
"Mr Adani can do so much good and right now he's at an important crossroads," Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black said.
AAP