Australia suffering from toxic air due to lack of policy on coal use

(Climate Action, 20 Aug 2019) A new report has found that Australia power stations are big contributors to toxic air pollution.

The new report by Greenpeace saw Australia ranked as 12th on the list of the top human-caused sulphur dioxide hotspots, as tracked by NASA satellites. 

Power stations burning coal and oil, along with industrial smelters, are responsible for two-thirds of human-caused toxic sulphur dioxide emission.

This is particularly dangerous in Australia as there are no legislated limits on how much sulphur dioxide Australian coal power stations are allowed to emit. 

Ageing coal-burning power stations in Australia are allowed to emit up to almost 12 times more sulphur dioxide than old power stations in China.  

Industrial smelting and the burning of coal, oil and gas are the leading causes of toxic sulphur dioxide pollution in Australia, says Greenpeace.

A recent report found that G20 nations, including Australia, are not on track to phase out the use of environmentally damaging fossil fuels.

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Climate Action, 20 Aug 2019: Australia suffering from toxic air due to lack of policy on coal use