Coal Isn’t Being Demonised

GOOD Statement by Kaden Arguile, GOOD National Youth Chairperson:

GOOD notes the recent remarks by MK Party MP Adil Nchabeleng, who called for the protection of coal-fired power and urged South Africans to stop “demonising” coal as an energy source. We remind the Honourable MP that coal is not being demonised, it is being accurately assessed. Aside from its catastrophic contribution to climate change, which fuels increasingly frequent and deadly disasters such as the recent floods in the Eastern Cape, researchers believe pollution from South Africa’s coal-fired power stations is estimated to cause around 2,000 premature deaths each year.

Electricity from wind and solar sources are cheaper and safer for South Africans. South Africa is lagging behind its BRICS partners and the world in shifting to cheaper, safer renewable electricity sources.

Australia, is on track to abandon coal-powered plants before 2030. This is relevant to us for two reasons.

1. Australia has been able to shift from coal while industrialising at a rapid rate resulting in their swift climb through the ranks of the top ten industrialised nations. This shows that renewables have the power to support massive machinery and factories. Something South Africa must replicate
2. All renewable studies on wind and solar show that our capacity is far greater than that of Australia. With serious investment and grid capacity upgrades, South Africa can use renewables as a vital lifeline to give power to communities who have never been connected to electricity due to their remoteness and a lack of coal-powered plants in the area.

GOOD also notes the long list of international climate treaties that South Africa has formally signed. Both our 2030 climate targets as well as our R8.5 billion JETP (Just Energy Transition Project) loans and grants cannot be backtracked on.
Shifting our stance to supporting coal will mean breaking these agreements, resulting in both diplomatic and economic fallout. South Africa is not in a position to accept these repercussions.

South Africa needs a mixed energy plan. GOOD has always supported that notion. Coal has a vital role to play in our country’s quest to connect all our citizens to power. Coal and the impacts of fossil fuels are not something we can ignore, however. It kills. Both humans and the environment we call home. With this in mind, we must phase out coal without leaving the citizens who rely on the industry for their economic wellbeing to be left in the dust. We call on government to recognise the failures in its transition at Komati power plant. If we seek to replace coal in the future it cannot be at the expense of a communities’ livelihood.

Coal isn’t demonised in this country. The propaganda surrounding the industry simply doesn’t work anymore. Thousands of scientists, environmentalists and NGO’s work tirelessly to supply our country with the necessary data to study the impact of coal. That data tells the same story. Coal kills and the alternatives do not. GOOD will always place the lives of our citizens and the ecosystem we call home above any industry.

GOOD Manifesto on Job Creation: Focusing on creating employment opportunities for all citizens.

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