A Call to Action from Albertans, Alberta-Based Organizations & Alberta Health Professionals
Alberta is renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes. Towering mountains, sweeping plains, pristine rivers, and diverse ecosystems are integral to the health and well-being of its people and environment. However, human activities, including coal mining and burning pose significant threats to Alberta’s natural beauty, public health, and climate. Greenhouse gas emissions and pollution from coal are among the leading contributors to climate change and health risks, necessitating urgent action.
The Alberta government has recently removed the 2022 moratorium on coal mining, re-activating coal mining projects in large areas of the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains. This is an action that defies the overwhelming majority of Albertans who have said NO to coal mining in the Rockies, and NO to putting our land, water, wildlife, and communities at risk.
Coal mining and usage represent some of the most harmful sources of environmental pollution:
- Mining activities release methane gas, mercury, selenium, heavy metals, and toxic dust into the environment, contaminating air, soil, and water.
- Coal burning produces carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulate matter, making it the most polluting form of energy.
- Health impacts from air pollution, driven by particulate matter from coal burning, are severe. Globally, air pollution is the second leading risk factor for death. In 2021 alone, air pollution contributed to 7.8 million deaths 1 and 231 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).
Albertans treasure our province’s shared stunning natural landscapes that support recreation, agriculture, and wildlife. Coal mining threatens these cherished places, undermining Alberta’s heritage and sustainability.
Call to Action
In response to these alarming realities, we, the undersigned individuals and organizations, including Alberta Health Professionals for the Environment (AHPE), strongly oppose the Alberta government’s ongoing support for coal mining projects, including lifting the moratorium on coal mining in large areas of the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains and the approval of expansions at the Vista thermal coal mine near Hinton. These actions go against scientific evidence, expert recommendations, and the expressed will of Albertans.
We call on the Alberta government to:
Enact a Complete Ban on All New Coal Mines and Expansions
Prohibit all new coal extraction projects and exploration activities that would lead to coal burning.Restrict Current Coal Operations
Allow existing coal mines to operate only within current approvals and ensure they meet or exceed all environmental safety standards. Require comprehensive financial security measures to cover future remediation costs.Mandate Timely Remediation
Require remediation efforts to begin if a mine is inoperative for six months, be completed within three years, and obtain a reclamation certificate within 20 years.
Grounding the Call to Action in Evidence
This Call to Action aligns with findings from the Alberta Coal Policy Committee’s Report2, and extensive public input forming A Coal Policy for Alberta – 2022 and Beyond – recommendations developed by Albertans for Albertans, receiving widespread support from ranchers, rural land owners, conservationists, recreationalists, Alberta-based organizations, municipalities, and businesses.
Key findings include:
- Limited economic benefit: Coal mining contributes only 0.2% of Alberta’s GDP3 and 0.06% of total employment, highlighting its minimal economic impact.
- Significant social and environmental risks: Coal mining threatens Alberta’s natural and cultural heritage, particularly the Eastern Slopes, which are vital for recreation, agriculture, and water supplies.
- Health concerns: The Alberta Medical Association emphasize the public health risks4, including:
- Selenium toxicity from contaminated water and food sources.
- Increased cardiovascular disease and cancer linked to mining-related pollutants.
- Chronic respiratory disease caused by coal dust and particulate matter.
- Substance abuse and other social health issues within mining communities.
- Accelerated climate change driven by carbon emissions.
- Workplace hazards and psychological impacts from mining activities.
Why Action Matters
A strong commitment to ending coal mining and burning is necessary. We urge the Alberta government to protect Alberta’s public health, preserve its natural landscapes and environment, and align with global efforts to address climate change to ensure a sustainable future for all Albertans by prioritizing these changes and taking decisive action now to end coal mining and burning in our beautiful province.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
JOIN THIS CALL TO ACTION
Are you a professional individual or organization? Join this Call to Action.
Are you an Albertan? Send a letter to your provincial government leaders and representatives.
RESOURCES
- 1. Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation
- 2. Final Report: Recommendations for the Management of Coal Resources in Alberta, Alberta Coal Policy Committee
- 3. A Coal Policy for Alberta – 2022 and Beyond
- 4. Submission to the Alberta Coal Policy Committee, Alberta Medical Association
