Protesters have gathered in Penrith to express their “anguish and fury” at the decision by the Government to approve the new coal mine at Whitehaven.
Dozens of people and members of XR North Lakes gathered at the town centre Musgrave Monument today hoisting placards, posters and banners.
It follows the decision by Michael Gove, Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on Wednesday, which has prompted an outcry from environmentalists and climate scientists around the world.
Speaking at the protest, Ali Ross, a Green Party councillor, said: “This is an outrageous decision that ignores the clear climate and technical case against the extraction of new coal. Instead, the Minister is appeasing the populists and climate action delayers – under the guise of levelling up and jobs.
“There are plenty of green jobs that could be created in West Cumbria – that wouldn’t destroy the futures of our children and grandchildren. Coal is the worst climate culprit and Mr Gove will have to live with having deepened the climate crisis on his conscience”.
Opponents of the mine have consistently argued that the new source of coal would increase greenhouse gas emissions at a time when they need to be substantially reduced to avoid catastrophic climate breakdown, the group said in a statement.
Supporters of the mine have argued that the Cumbrian coal is needed for the UK’s steel industry and will create jobs,
Chris McDonald, Chief Executive of the Materials Processing Institute, the UK’s national centre for steel research, said in the statement that there was no demand from his industry for the West Cumbria mine.
He said “There are only two potential customers for this coal in the UK: Tata Steel and British Steel. British Steel have said they cannot use the coal from this mine because the sulphur levels are too high. Tata Steel have said if the coal were available, then they may or may not use a small amount. There isn’t anyone in the steel industry who’s calling for the mine”.
Another protester, Andy Oakley, said: “By delaying its approval of the coal mine until after COP27, the UK government has demonstrated its true climate hypocrisy and is sticking two fingers up to the international community that it had claimed to be leading.
“The dire impacts of climate change are being felt all around the world and this decision is condemning people who are already struggling in the global south to more misery and suffering. It’s not just a matter of inconvenience or discomfort – people are dying right now from unbearable heat, drought, famine, floods and devastating fires – and with carbon emissions still rising it is only going to get worse.”
