Unbelievably, despite Government and councils across the UK declaring a Climate Emergency and pledging to decrease CO2 levels, West Cumbria council has approved the mining of coal at Woodhouse colliery near Whitehaven, the first deep coal mine in England for 30 years.
There has been considerable opposition to this, led by many local campaign groups and individuals including 16 year old Isabella Bridgeman. Isabella played a big part in gathering support and protesting against this mining project. She targeted members of the council and encouraged the local community to respond to the public consultation. Their fight is ongoing and awaits a final decision. Friends of the Earth (FoE) explain how this project “will release an extraordinary volume of greenhouse gas emissions over its 50 year lifespan”. FoE are highlighting the issue of new mining developments. Another, in Druridge Bay, has been rejected. Government Minister Robert Jenrick refused planning permission then as "not environmentally acceptable".
Isabella says: “If you want to have a just and green future, then we need to make sure that social justice is achieved”.
On the other side of the world, in Australia, students Avav, Izzy, Veronica, Laura and Ambrose are part of a group of 8 young people also fighting for social justice and against climate change. They are seeking an injunction which could stop their government approving the expansion of Vickery coal mine. They are doing this through a ‘class action’ on behalf of all young people under 18 in Australia and worldwide.
These students say all young people will be harmed in the future by actions taken by Government which will make Climate Change worse. Their ‘class action’ claims that Sussan Ley (Federal Minister) has a common law duty of care to young people. The students are being represented by Equity Generation Lawyers.
Thanks to Friends of the Earth for permission to use their image.
https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/community-fight-against-coal-cumbria