Dear John
On 7 September a public inquiry to decide the fate of the proposed new Whitehaven coal mine begins.
If given the final go-ahead by the government, these plans would have disastrous climate impacts – worsening a crisis that’s already devastating the lives and livelihoods of people across the world.
In the wake of scientists’ starkest warnings yet on the climate emergency [1], it’s astonishing that projects like this one are even on the table. And yet this mine could still get the green light.
So far, over 38,000 people have signed our petition calling on the government to stop the mine. Now’s the time to do everything we can to show we won’t stand for more empty promises. Will you add your voice too?
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This November, the UK is set to host the UN climate talks in Glasgow. But how is the UK government going to push other countries for tougher climate action, while it’s still failing to rule out new coal, oil and gas projects?
If we want to fight the climate emergency, then we need the government to phase out UK support for fossil fuels. For good. And, crucially, to start investing in the green jobs that will help us create a secure, greener future.
Unemployment in West Cumbria is an urgent issue, but local people deserve better than a coal mine. In fact, 9,000 long-lasting climate-friendly jobs in sectors like renewable electricity and insulating existing buildings could be created in Cumbria over the next 15 years [2].
West Cumbria Mining’s deep coal mine would increase global emissions even further. It’s been backed up with the argument that it would produce coking coal for the UK’s steel industry – but in fact, only less than 10% of coal would be used in the UK. The rest exported.
The UK must commit to ending the era of coal. Will you tell the government to stop this climate-wrecking coal mine ahead of next week’s public inquiry?
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Thanks so much for everything you’ve done so far.
All the best,
Estelle Worthington
North West Regional Campaign Organiser
NOTES:
[1] The IPCC is the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. You can read its latest report here.
[2] You can read Cumbria Action for Sustainability's report here.
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