BAN THE EXPORT OF THERMAL COAL!
The government banned the use of thermal coal at home - but it's still letting the harmful fossil fuel be sold around the world. Say no to the export of thermal coal!
Thermal coal is used to produce electricity in many parts of the world - despite its reputation as one of the most harmful fossil fuels in existence. The process of mining, transporting, and burning coal wreaks havoc on the environment, the climate and human health. In fact, coal-fired power plants produce so much air pollution, contaminated waterways, and greenhouse gas emissions that the Canadian government is phasing out their use here at home.
Despite this - Canada still allows thermal coal mines to operate in Canada, and mining companies are even putting forward proposals to expand their operations. Even worse, Canada lets mining companies sell the dirty fossil fuel to countries abroad.
This hypocrisy means that Canada is willing to ignore the devastating effects that Canadian-mined coal will have on communities overseas, like air pollution and respiratory illnesses. Thermal coal is responsible for more than 800,000 premature deaths a year due to air pollution impacts.
During the election, Justin Trudeau promised to ban the export of thermal coal by 2030 - but that’s too far off. The government must take immediate, comprehensive, and consistent steps to phase out thermal coal exports through Canadian ports by 2023
Continuing to mine and export thermal coal is also fundamentally incompatible with the government’s promises to combat the climate crisis. The world must reduce coal production by 11 per cent each year between 2020 and 2030 if we’re going to keep warming below 1.5 C - this leaves no room for countries like Canada to increase their supply of thermal coal.
Add your name to demand that the federal government ban the export of thermal coal, and restrict its mining here in Canada.
Your letter will be sent to: Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Harjit Sajjan, Minister of International Development, Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, and Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade.