There’s no healthy debate on mine impacts - by Dr John Van Der Kallen
- 9 Feb 2019
- Climate Change Coal
- Elizabeth Bashford
In a stunning landmark decision, this week the NSW Land and Environment Court recognised the scientific evidence for climate change and the urgent need to reduce emissions. For this reason, and for the negative impacts on the local community, the court dismissed the appeal and ruled against the opening of a new coal mine at Rocky Hill.Doctors rejected the Rocky Hill proposal from the start on health grounds. The health risks of coal mines are well known. They have significant impacts on our air quality, resulting in worsening respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, cancers and impaired development of children’s lungs, our water quality as well as agriculture in the local area, impacting on food security.
The Gloucester Valley community should never have had to go before the courts to protect their future in the first place.
However, the fact that it did has set a precedent which will likely have far-reaching implications for all Australians and the rest of the world. There is no place for any new developments or exploration for fossil fuels.
Twice now the residents of Gloucester have shown us what can be done to stop fossil fuel development,
and that we can no longer hope that our politicians will do the right thing. With the NSW and federal elections looming, n
ow is our chance to tell politicians that we want to see a dramatic decrease in our carbon emissions which mean no new fossil fuel developments,
a massive increase in renewable energy production so that we are 100 per cent renewable by 2030
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