A four-storey tall planet Earth sitting on the edge of the vast
open pit mine, the Rescue Station opened earlier this week as a
focal point for opposition to the expansion of coal in Poland and
the world. The station contains exhibitions and information showing
the impact of coal. One third of CO2 pollution comes from coal,
making it the single biggest cause of climate change. Stopping
climate change means quitting coal.
Poland uses coal for 93% of its electricity production, more
than double the world average, and is a major contributor to global
warming. Poland is one of the top 20 states for CO2 emissions.
"My people and I oppose the expansion of the mine because it
will destroy the village we live in and force us to move," said
Jozef Imbiorski, mayor of Tomislawice village.
Josef Drzazgowski, leader of a local opposition group added,
"Lakes are disappearing, forests are drying up and farmers are
complaining that they do not have enough water to irrigate their
lands. Expansion of the mines is not an option for thousands of
inhabitants of this area."
"Climate change is the biggest economic, humanitarian and
environmental threat mankind is facing," said Magdalena Zowsik,
Greenpeace Poland climate and energy campaigner. "Coal is the
dirtiest of all fuels and averting grave impacts of climate change,
such as billions of people facing water shortages, will only be
possible when we quit coal."
Greenpeace's Energy [R]evolution scenario, a detailed study of
future energy pathways, shows how Poland can help solve the climate
crisis by moving away from coal, using clean energy sources and
implement energy efficiency. By 2050 Poland could produce 80% of
its electricity from renewable energy resources. (1)
On 1 December, 2008, a crucial UN Climate Conference will open
in Poznan, Poland. On 8 December, a week into the talks, the
Climate Rescue Station will be moved to Poznan Wolnos'ci Square. It
will continue to send a message to delegates attending the climate
talks to get serious about climate change, quit coal and work
towards a meaningful deal to save the climate.
In Poznan, governments must agree a vision for climate action
that should include the goal of global emissions peaking by 2015
and which contains emissions cuts of 25-40% by 2020 for developed
countries. They must table a draft text for negotiations to begin
early next year, so that they can be completed by the conclusion of
the talks, taking place in Copenhagen at the end of 2009.
VVPR info: Magdalena Zowsik, Climate and Energy Campaigner, Greenpeace Poland:+48 513 172 537Joris Thijssen, Climate and Energy Campaigner GreenpeaceInternational, Amsterdam: +31 64 6162 031Ewa Jakubowska, Media Officer Greenpeace Poland: + 48 513 172 538Szabina Mózes , Media Officer, Greenpeace International: + 43 664 61 26 725International Photo desk: +1 206 300 6511, 
nternational Video desk: +31 646197322,
Notes: (1) Polish Scenario athttp://www.greenpeace.org/poland/wydarzenia/polska/rewolucja-energetyczna-polskaGlobal scenario at http://www.greenpeace.org/energyrevolution