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When
you hear the word ‘renewables’ you probably
think of solar panels and wind turbines. Clean,
carbon-free energy derived from the forces of
nature.
The truth is that in
Europe, more than half of what we call
‘renewable energy’ actually comes from burning
wood and crops. This means trees and crops are
being burned in the name of climate action –
even though doing so increases emissions
compared to fossil
fuels. | |
It’s
a scam made possible by the EU law that supports
renewable energy: the Renewable Energy
Directive. This law incentivises some good
renewable energy, but also encourages countries
to turn old, dirty, coal plants into new, dirty,
wood burning plants.
Burning wood
produces more carbon dioxide than burning fossil
fuels and trees can take decades to grow back,
but despite this, power stations that burn wood
are allowed to call themselves ‘renewable’ –
even if they are burning whole trees, harvested
from precious habitats and shipped from
overseas.
But that’s not
all…
Because EU law defines the burning
of trees and crops for energy as ‘renewable’ and
‘carbon neutral’ these producers enjoy billions
of Euros in subsidies every year… coming out of
your pocket.
That’s right, you are
currently subsidising the destruction of our
forests and natural habitats as well as an
increase in air pollution and respiratory
diseases.
But you can help end this
madness! The European Commission is asking the
public to give their opinion on the law that
makes this scandal possible, but only until the
9th of February 2021.
The more
people that respond, the more likely we are to
get the law changed.
Forest and
climate experts have put together a very simple
message which you can help us pass on to the
European Commission: don’t burn forests and food
for energy, and
#StopFakeRenewables!
Sign this
petition and we’ll send the message to the
European Commission on your behalf.
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