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Alamy
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UK News

Hundreds of church leaders sign letter to government urging them to rethink new coal mine

by Alex Collett

More than 450 UK Christian climate campaigners and church leaders have signed an open letter to the government, urging it to rethink think the approval of a new coal mine.

Campaigners say the coal mine, which is situated near Whitehaven in Cumbria and was approved last week, poses a threat to reaching a goal of limiting global heating to 1.5C.

The letter states: "Coal from this mine will continue to heat up the planet, pollute the atmosphere, and most severely impact those in the world’s poorest countries who have done the least to cause the climate crisis. We lament this great injustice."

The letter was also coordinated by Young Christian Climate Network and supported by many charities , including Christian Aid. It’s also been endorsed by former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and many more.

Sophie Powell, UK advocacy lead at Christian Aid said: "The UK Government is trashing the legacy of its own COP26 climate summit in Glasgow which claimed to mark the end of the era of coal just 12 months ago.

"Almost all the coal from this new mine will be exported, not used in the UK. The Government will be propping up the coal industry, exacerbating the climate crisis and causing more suffering to people already struggling to cope with worsening droughts, storms and floods."

The heads of eight UK church denominations, 20 Anglican and Catholic Bishops have also signed the letter.

Click here to view the letter: Open Letter to Secretary of State and PM - New Coal Mine - Google Docs

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