Hi John,

 

This is astounding. Just six months ago, Boris Johnson proclaimed the "death knell" of coal power globally. [1] But according to reports this week, his government is now "on the cusp" of approving a new coal mine in Cumbria! [2] We need to take swift action to raise the alarm and make our voices heard. Will you join over 200,000 people and demand the government stop plans for a new coal mine in Cumbria?

Approving plans for a new coal mine is reckless behaviour. The Whitehaven mine would lead to a significant increase in global carbon emissions. [3] The good news is that the government hasn’t given their final approval for the proposal—this is a critical time to pressure Michael Gove, who is responsible for making the final decision, to reject plans for a new coal mine in Cumbria and commit to end the era of coal in the UK. 

 

Michael Gove is a politician who is reported to be ambitious and who cares about his popularity. [4] Your voice on this issue is critical—we urgently need to show him where public opinion on the proposed Cumbria coal mine is at. Can you sign the petition to demand the government stop plans for a new coal mine by the end of the day?

On Tuesday, we joined 14 Environmental organisations in sending Michael Gove a letter debunking claims from some politicians that the mine would help stop fossil fuel imports, and cash flow to Russia. [5] Let us be clear: the UK currently does not import any Russian coking coal, and any calls from ministers that we need to ‘replace’ Russian coking coal with UK coal are misleading. The arguments against the proposed mine are strong—it’s bad for the planet, the steel industry is moving away from coal use, demand for coal is shrinking, and long-term, sustainable jobs for the region aren’t guaranteed. [6]

 

People power has secured historic social and climate justice wins. In the UK, it helped us win the fight against fracking in 2019, and now, we need it to win the fight to end reliance on fossil fuels for good. [7] Your voice, along with the voices of hundreds of thousands of other Britons, will help push the UK government to act now to stop plans for a new coal mine in Cumbria—just add your name here.

 

In solidarity,

 

Miranda 

Greenpeace UK

 

 

P.S. To pressure the government to stop plans for a new coal mine, we need people power—can you forward this email to three friends who care about the climate crisis? 

 

 

[1] COP26: Climate deal sounds the death knell for coal power - PM

[2] ‘Reckless in the extreme’: Outrage as government poised to green-light UK’s first new coal mine for decades

[3] Climate Change Committee, 29 January 2021, ‘Letter: Deep Coal Mining in the UK’

[4] Michael Gove said to be on leadership ‘manoeuvres’ by courting Tory MPs at dinner

[5] Opening a new UK coal mine 'unlikely to displace Russian imports'

[6] Letter from 14 Environmental NGOs to Michael Gove

[7] Does peaceful protest work?

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