APEC must reject coal, support clean energy
- From: greenpeacephilippines@xxxxxxxxx
- Date: 22 Feb 2006 22:14:34 -0800
Members of communities from northern provinces and several
organizations today dumped coal at the venue of APEC's Clean Coal
Conference in Lampang in opposition against the promotion of coal and
coal power plants in the country.
People Against Coal, a coalition of communities from Chiangmai and
Lampang and several NGOs like Greenpeace, demanded that coal plants be
removed from Thailand's national energy development plan. The group
also called on APEC to promote investments in renewable energy.
Community leaders brought with them "Climate Criminal" trophies, which
feature a ghastly skull, and were given to the prime promoters of dirty
energy like coal. The disreputable honor were awarded to Wiset
Chuphiban, Thailand's Ministry of Energy, Kraisri Kanasoot, CEO of
Electricity Generating Authority, and Scott Smouse, Chair of APEC
Expert Group on Clean Fossil Energy.
The Mae Moh coal plant in Lampang has caused deaths, severe health
problems and environmental damages, yet the Thai government continues
the promotion of coal.
"The energy development plan drafted by the present government pushes
for at least at least 30 % of Thailand's energy to come from coal. This
is unacceptable," said Tara Buakamsri of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.
"And APEC, led by the US and Australia, undermine the world's efforts
to reduce carbon emissions thru the promotion of coal. This meeting is
shameless and ignores the suffering of people caused coal," he added.
Maliwan Nakwirot, secretary of the Network of Occupational Patients of
Mae Moh added, "these awards symbolize the death of our community.
We want to give back to the climate criminals the terrible things that
had happened to us. As a representative of communities affected by
coal, we say we don't want coal, we want clean energy."
Studies conducted by the National Health Research Systems Institute
indicate that the planned expansion of coal through the construction of
9 more coal plants by 2015 mean a new round of economic, health and
environmental burden for the country. Calculations by the institute
point out that the planned new coal plants will release of 358,011 tons
of sulfur dioxide and more than 20 tons of mercury in the environment.
The institute cites their findings as reasons why coal should never
again be a choice for the Thai society. Instead, it advocated for the
rapid development of clean and sustainable energy, which is grounded on
community participation.
"Coal is proven to be dirty, and clean coal is not only expensive but a
technological failure. APEC should direct investments towards clean
energy which will not only improve the quality of life in the country
but also help in the reduction of catastrophic climate change impacts
around the world," Tara concluded.
_____
http://www.greenpeace.org/seasia
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