Consumer alliance unveils new study condemning Greenpeace and WWF’s anti-coal campaign in Asia’s developing nations
WASHINGTON, DC – The Consumers Alliance for Global Prosperity (CAGP) today rebuked the re-emergence of the global environmental movement’s malicious attacks against the coal industry in countries party to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). By claiming a “doomsday” scenario if the use of coal is not severely restricted in these developing countries, environmental activist groups Greenpeace, WWF and other special interest attack groups are short-circuiting the possibilities of a fully-electrified, economically-strong Southeast Asia. In a new report released today, “Unplugging ASEAN: An Inside Look at Greenpeace and WWF’s Anti-Coal Scheme to Freeze Southeast Asia’s Energy and Economic Future”, CAGP sets the record straight.
“Our investigation into the coordinated campaign between Greenpeace, WWF and their allies to halt the mining and consumption of coal in Southeast Asia illustrates a new level of environmental colonialism. This opposition to the use of the most abundant, affordable and efficient energy source worldwide in favor of other energy sources is an affront to ASEAN nations’ ability to support economic development. Without robust production of coal – and the jobs and foreign currency earnings afforded to coal-producing nations such as Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines – opportunities for socio-economic transformation in the region will diminish substantially,” said Andrew Langer, spokesman for CAGP.
According to the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA), approximately 20 percent of the world’s population currently has no access to electricity. Couple that with the fact that ASEAN member nation Indonesia is the second largest coal exporter in the world, and it is clear just how important coal is to raising living standards and strengthening economies in the developing world.
Langer continued, “When it comes to our collective energy future, Greenpeace and WWF have chosen to ignore reality and the facts time after time. According to the World Health Organization, more affordable electricity from the increased production of coal can actually save lives. This is in stark contrast to the misleading claims of Greenpeace and WWF that coal is destroying the planet. And perhaps no other region needs the social welfare and economic benefits of this natural resource more than ASEAN. Coal is essential to providing more lit homes, more hot meals and more sustainable growth in local economies. “Green” extremists value the environment above all, even the livelihoods of the poorest people in Asia. Thankfully, ASEAN member countries know that coal is a better solution to their varied energy and economic challenges than anything offered by Greenpeace, WWF and other environmental colonialists.”
