CLIMATE SOSby HASSAN ABUBAKAR MUHAMMAD | 23-06-2022 17:05 |
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Austria, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands announced this week the plans to resurrect their old coal power plants. The moves came just days after Moscow reduced natural gas flows to several European countries, alarming leaders who are worried about energy reserves ahead of winter. Germany says it is restarting some coal power plants, while Austria is outfitting an existing plant to use coal. In the Netherlands, authorities have lifted caps on coal-powered plants. No matter how you label it, coal is always polluting. In fact, it is the most polluting way to produce electricity. There are significant environmental impacts associated with coal mining and use. It could require the removal of massive amounts of top soil, leading to erosion, loss of habitat and pollution. Coal mining causes acid mine drainage, which causes heavy metals to dissolve and seep into ground and surface water. Coal mine workers also sometimes face serious health problems, including lung disease from prolonged exposure to coal dust in mines. Environmental impacts associated with using coal as an energy source are particulate emission, ground level ozone, smog and acid rain. Coal and fuel oil combustion emit fly ash particles into the atmosphere, which contribute to air pollution problems. Upon burning, coal produces a number of gaseous byproducts, including carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and methane gas, all of which contribute to global climate change. In the end, as the global citizens who share this precious planet, we are responsible for taking actions to address climate change. On behalf of Tunza Eco-generation Family, I call for an immediate end to this conflict through negotiation. Credit: WWF |
