THE NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) recently decided on the Dartbrook underground coal mine, writes Dr Bob Vickers. In its decision, they approved the mine to continue operations until 2022, but did not support a five-year extension recommended by the NSW Department of Planning. In the words of the IPC, this project “would not be in accordance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development or inter-generational equity; and, as such, is not in the public interest”.
The IPC cited concerns about air pollution, water security, social costs and economic impacts of Dartbrook. These, however, are not just affected directly by these projects.
They are arguably affected, for generations to come, indirectly and fiercely by ongoing climate heating and extreme weather events as a result of uncontrolled greenhouse gas emissions.
We are at a time in history where a combined group of scientists from 195 countries have accepted we will not be able to stop climate heating. The evidence is irrefutable that we have caused this due to uncontrolled greenhouse gas emissions.
We now need to limit the damage.
Dr Bob Vickers is a GP in the Hunter Region of NSW and a member of Doctors for the Environment Australia
Read the full article in Muswellbrook Chronicle dated 15 August 2019
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