In an open letter to the Prime Minister and all MPs, the scientific community has condemned the proposed project to open a new coal mine in Cumbria, hoping that the current political upheaval in Westminster might sway the government to change its decision.
“To open a new coal mine in the face of the climate crisis sends out the worst possible message to the rest of the world,” the letter reads.
In January 2021, the government decided not to intervene over a decision to allow the construction of the UK’s first deep coal mine in 30 years, for use in steel production. However, following strong backlash from environmental campaigners, a public enquiry into the £165m West Cumbria Mining plan was opened later that year.
The final decision on whether to approve the opening of the mine is set to be made by August 17 this year.
In the letter, 34 climate scientists and other experts have condemned the project, raising alarms about its future impact on climate...