In Florida, majority Black and brown communities face hotter temperatures, rising seas and more damaging storms. One advocacy group is considering other ways of helping them.

By Amy Green

Since returning to the White House for his second term, President Donald Trump and his administration have drastically cut environmental programs and programs designed to serve disadvantaged communities and communities of color. These are groups with the fewest resources to deal with climate impacts such as hotter temperatures and more damaging storms.

Trump’s Environmental Cuts Further Marginalize Vulnerable Communities

PERTH, Thursday 23 April 2026 — Greenpeace Australia Pacific is calling on the WA and Federal Environment Ministers to slap down Woodside’s reckless plans to drill for gas at Scott Reef.

As Woodside holds its 2026 AGM at Crown Towers in Perth, Greenpeace, alongside the Save Scott Reef Alliance and hundreds of community members, will stage a protest calling on the WA and Federal governments to protect Scott Reef and reject the multinational fossil fuel corporation’s Browse gas drilling proposal on the doorstep of endangered whale and turtle habitat.

Due to speak outside Woodside’s AGM and participate as a proxy shareholder, David Ritter, CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “Woodside’s plan to drill for gas at the pristine, magnificent Scott Reef is a disaster waiting to happen. 

“Newly appointed CEO Liz Westcott has been handed a poisoned chalice—one of the most controversial and ill-advised fossil fuel projects in Australia’s history—and now has to convince the WA and Federal Environment Ministers, shareholders and the community, that the project is not a toxic disaster waiting to be unleashed. 

“The WA Environmental Protection Authority made an initial finding that Woodside’s plans to drill up to 57 wells near Scott Reef, home to nesting sea turtles, endangered pygmy blue whales and other endangered species, posed unacceptable risks to marine wildlife. Independent experts have now said that Woodside’s resubmitted plans still fail to address these risks—including potentially extinction-level harm—to whales and turtles.

“Woodside also plans to dump carbon pollution under the seabed as part of this monster project—a process that would likely involve repeated seismic blasting over the next 39 years, which can deafen whales, near Scott Reef. 

“More than half a million Australians have called on the government to stop this nature and climate-wrecking project, in favour of a clean energy future for WA and the nation.

“Greenpeace and our partners are calling on WA Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn and Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt to reject Woodside’s Browse proposal and protect Scott Reef once and for all. 

“Protecting Scott Reef by rejecting Woodside’s appalling plans would be a legacy moment for the WA and Federal Labor governments—building foundations for the cleaner economy of the future, and safeguarding the oceans and wildlife that are part of our identity and all Australians cherish.”

—ENDS—

Greenpeace calls on Environment Ministers to reject reckless Scott Reef drilling plans at Woodside AGM

PERTH, Thursday 23 April 2026 — Greenpeace Australia Pacific activists have interrupted Woodside’s 2026 AGM to directly challenge the fossil fuel giant’s plans to drill for gas at Scott Reef.  

A choir of Greenpeace activists have disrupted multinational fossil fuel corporation Woodside’s AGM to protest the company’s  Browse gas drilling proposal and associated risks to nearby Scott Reef.

Activists caused prolonged disruption to CEO Liz Westcott’s address with a ‘Save Scott Reef’ rendition of Australian Crawl’s iconic 1983 song ‘Reckless (Don’t Be So)’, revived in 2024 by Angie McMahon’s cover for Triple J’s ‘Like A Version’.

The McMahon cover directly referenced Woodside’s controversial gas operation, and linked the Aussie anthem to the nation-wide campaign against Woodside’s climate and nature-wrecking plans at Scott Reef.

Hidden speakers amplified whale song during the meeting in reference to endangered pygmy blue whales that rely on the waters surrounding Scott Reef as a migratory pathway and feeding ground.

Several activists were escorted out of the meeting by security while singing and holding up “Hands off Scott Reef” signs that had been smuggled into the room.

Charlie Mgee, musician and songwriter, who participated in the disruption, said:

“Woodside needs to face the music and admit that its plans to drill for gas at Scott Reef are completely reckless—an unmitigated disaster for a significant marine ecosystem.

“I was willing to disrupt the Woodside AGM because the stakes are too high for precious Scott Reef and its wildlife.

“Given the undeniable warning signs associated with this project, the Western Australian and Federal Governments have the power to stop this destructive project in its tracks and Save Scott Reef.”

Following the protest choir’s exit from the meeting, David Ritter, CEO at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, directly challenged Woodside’s incoming CEO and Board Chair for the risks to Scott Reef and wildlife, such as green sea turtles and pygmy blue whales.

“Woodside’s new CEO Liz Westcott openly admitted to shareholders today that Woodside’s licence to operate depends on protecting the environment. But the more than half a million Australians who have signed the stop Woodside petition could not be clearer: This licence is revoked,” said Mr Ritter. 

“Despite the evidence from independent marine experts that Woodside’s altered management plans for the impacts of Browse on whale and turtle populations are simply cosmetic, and despite Woodside’s professed regard for Scott Reef, the company refuses to admit that it is simply not safe to drill for gas in fragile marine habitat. 

“Greenpeace’s campaign to save Scott Reef from Woodside’s dirty gas continues. Together with our million-strong supporter base, we will continue to amp up the pressure on WA Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn and Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt to say no to Woodside’s Browse project.” 

Greenpeace also joined the Save Scott Reef Alliance and hundreds of community members in a protest held before the Woodside AGM on Thursday, 23 April 2026.

—ENDS—

High-res images and footage of this morning’s protests before and during the Woodside AGM, plus an audio recording of the Save Scott Reef anthem will be uploaded here.

‘Don’t be so reckless’: Greenpeace activists disrupt Woodside AGM with anthem for Scott Reef