14 DAY TRIAL // Environmental pollution caused by the practice of using coal as an energy source triggers roughly 22,300 yearly premature deaths in Europe alone, University of Stuttgart researchers write in a new report.
The report was commissioned by Greenpeace in anticipation for its “End the Age of Coal” campaign on June 29.
The organization labels coal as a silent killer, and explains that it messes up not just natural ecosystems worldwide, but also people's health.
Presently, Europe is home to about 300 coal-powered plants. Greenpeace says that each of these plants releases loads of toxic chemical compounds into their surroundings, and that these compounds are sooner or later inhaled by people.
“Hour after hour these plants fill the air with toxic pollutants, including mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium and tiny sulphate and nitrate particles that can go deep into people's lungs,” Greenpeace writes on its official website.
“We need to stand up and demand that governments and energy producers respect the fundamental right to breathe clean air and not see it as a threat to their profits,” the environmentalists urge.
Despite overwhelming evidence that coal should be phased out, high officials in several European countries have recently decided to support the construction of several other coal-burning plants.
Greenpeace believes that what they should be doing instead is invest as much as possible in technologies aimed at harvesting eco-friendly energy sources like solar, wind and hydro power.
“Continued coal burning will fuel even more catastrophic climate change. The hundreds of thousands who die now from climate change will grow to millions within decades.”
“European politicians must take action. The solution is right in front of them: renewable energy. A clean energy system would be good for the climate and for public health,” the environmentalists write.
Check out the official website for “End of Coal” here, and learn more about what you can do to support this green-oriented campaign.