Coal production poses serious risks to the health of local communities, as well as causing substantial environmental damage – both of which incur substantial economic costs. The impacts on local communities in the Hunter Valley include exposure to harmful air, noise and water pollution, distress associated with social disruption, and a sense of abandonment as government’s prioritise the interests of the coal industry above that of the community.
Coal and health in the Hunter: lessons from one valley for the world is a new report produced on behalf of the Climate and Health Alliance to be released on Monday 23 February 2015. It provides a comprehensive analysis of what the rapid expansion of coal mining in the Hunter Valley means for the health of the local population as well as the risk to the global community from the contribution to climate change from coal exports.
Read the report in full here. You can also read the report’s recommendations, summary for policymakers, and a series of case studies including short videos to watch and share.
CALL TO ACTION: CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR VOICE TO THOSE CALLING FOR REAL REFORM TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY’S HEALTH FROM COAL IMPACTS
Latest from the blog
The Battle for Bulga
John Krey’s home near the tiny town of Bulga is just a few kilometers away from three of the largest open cut coal mines in the Hunter Valley: Mount Thorley Warkworth (owned by Rio Tinto), the Bulga mine (Glencore-Xtrata), and Wambo (Peabody Energy).
Continue reading
Wendy’s Camberwell
Wendy Bowman has been a farmer in the Hunter Valley region since 1957. She was forced off her previous farm, Ashton, by the Ravensworth South open cut coal mine by constant dust and water pollution from the mine. Her Droughtmaster cattle farm, Rosedale, is now in the sights of Yancoal.
Continue reading
Upcoming events
Muswellbrook public forum: Coal and Health
When: Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 06:00 PM
Where: Muswellbrook Workers Club in Muswellbrook, Australia
This public forum coincides with the launch of a powerful new report on coal and health.
The Hunter Community Environment Centre (HCEC) is working with the Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA) to launch the report that examines the adverse impacts on physical and psychological health associated with coal mining, transportation and production.
For the first time, this report quantifies the health costs associated with air pollution from coal sources in communities in the Hunter as well as the social costs of carbon associated with emissions produced from Hunter Valley coal.
Guest speakers include:
Francis Grey – principle economist, Economists at Large
Fiona Armstrong – Convenor of Climate and Health Alliance, and author of Coal and Health in the Hunter
John Lamb – Vigneron and President, Bulga-Milbrodale Progress Association
Come and hear more about the what the expansion of coal mining means for the health of our communities and importantly, what we can do about it.
View event
Who’s attending
[Bob Mailer] [Ted Finnie] [Shirley Watson] [Hilary Nicol] [Greg Scott] [Christine Phelps] [Fran Wachtel] [Graham Turvey] [vanessa culliford]
Singleton Public Forum: Coal and Health
When: Thursday, February 26, 2015 at 06:00 PM
Where: Singleton Diggers in Singleton, Australia
This public forum coincides with the launch of a powerful new report on coal and health.
The Hunter Community Environment Centre (HCEC) is working with the Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA) to launch the report that examines the adverse impacts on physical and psychological health associated with coal mining, transportation and production.
For the first time, this report quantifies the health costs associated with air pollution from coal sources in communities in the Hunter as well as the social costs of carbon associated with emissions produced from Hunter Valley coal.
Come and hear more about the what the expansion of coal mining means for the health of our communities and importantly, what we can do about it.
RSVP