ONE of the UK’s most prominent climate scientists has described the government’s decision not to stop the Cumbrian coal mine as ‘absolutely ridiculous.”
Professor Sir Robert Watson has voiced his objections to the mine near Whitehaven at time of growing pressure from campaigners against its approval.
Prof Sir Watson’s remarks come after Prof James Hansen, a respected climate scientist, formerly at NASA, wrote to PM Boris Johnson urging him to stop the project.
PRESSURE: Climate activists have tried to prevent the mine's approval through months of protests
He argued that allowing it to go ahead would lead to “ignominy and humiliation” for the government and the UK, and would be “in contemptuous disregard of the future.
“The government’s credibility is already compromised, having failed to meet almost all of its existing climate targets.
"Now it needs to try and persuade the rest of the world to take drastic action, while at the same time allowing a new coal mine that experts say is completely incompatible with tackling the climate crisis. The hypocrisy is quite shocking”.
APPROVED: Cumbrian coal mine has been approved by the Government
Catherine Rennie-Nash, a campaigner from Kendal, said “Cumbria needs jobs, but it needs good, sustainable green jobs, and not jobs in a dying industry.
"We have so much wind and tidal power potential, and also so much untapped potential for tourism along the west coast.
"But being known as the coal mine county is hardly a draw for would-be holiday-makers”.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel