Czechia – Greenpeace activists from across Europe occupied equipment at a Czech coal mine today to peacefully protest against plans to extend the life of the mine until at least 2035.
Poland and Germany scaled the almost 60-metre high excavator – the biggest in Czechia – at the mine in Bílina
with banners reading ‘End Fossil Crimes’ in English and ‘End Mining 2030’ in Czech (‘Konec těžby 2030’)
Activists intend to occupy the excavator for at least 24 hours
ahead of ČEZ’s AGM on Monday 26 June.
Greenpeace Czechia activist who is taking part in the occupation
said: “We are here calling on ČEZ to abandon its intention to prolong coal mining at Bílina
and demanding that the Czech government reverses this decision
Czechia deserves a just and sustainable energy transition to preserve our futures for generations to come.”
The action was organised by Greenpeace Czechia after fossil fuel corporation ČEZ applied to extend the life of the coal mine until at least 2035 – creating a minimum of five extra years of climate-destroying emissions
Despite the undeniable climate science proving fossil fuel extraction should end
the Czech government’s District Mining Office approved the Bílina mine extension permit in March this year
But Greenpeace Czechia appealed against it
meaning the approval is currently not legally binding.
Lead Campaigner for Greenpeace’s Fossil Free Revolution campaign
said: “Greenpeace wants to put a bright spotlight on the imminent climate destruction at Bílina
ČEZ’s intention to prolong the life of this mine will create climate shockwaves across Europe and the wider world if it is not stopped
it is nothing but a fossil crime to prolong the life of a dirty
one of the most carbon-intensive of all fossil fuels and a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions
The mine supplies the nearby Ledvice Power Station
as well as several local heating plants.
it will mean an extra 50 million tonnes of coal will be extracted from Bílina
according to the Czech Ministry of the Environment’s assessment
will cause the release of an estimated 11.5 million tonnes of CO2 per year on average.[1][2] That means
Bílina will produce roughly half of the yearly CO2 emission that Czechia produced in 2020 alone.[3][4]
the extension permit has no binding time limit
meaning coal mining could actually continue at this location for many years beyond 2035
the Czech government pledged to phase out coal by 2033 at the latest
so the extension conflicts with this promise.[5]
The Czech government has the power to stop the mine from being enlarged by cancelling the mine’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) permit
or by issuing an official statement against the prolongation of the mining which would be legally binding for mining authority.
To stand a chance of limiting global heating to 1.5°C and stop the climate crisis from escalating further
Greenpeace is calling on the Czech environment minister Petr Hladík to scrap the positive Environmental Impact Assessment granted for mining extension
so coal comes to a complete stop in Bílina by 2030 at the latest
Photo and video of the action is available in the Greenpeace Media Library.
[1] CEZ gets extension at Bilina lignite mine until 2035 (English)
[2] Czech Ministry of the Environment Assessment (PDF
[3] Greenhouse gas emissions in Czechia by sector (English)
[4] Greenhouse gas emissions in Czechia by sector (Czech)
[5] Czech Republic to end coal use by 2033, boost nuclear power (English)
For interviews in English, contact: Jasmine Watkiss, International Media Coordinator at Greenpeace UK, +44 7796 947448, [email protected]
For interviews in Czech, contact: Lukas Hrabek, Press Officer at Greenpeace Czechia, + 420 603 443 140, [email protected]
Greenpeace International Press Desk: [email protected], +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24/7). For international press releases follow us on Twitter @greenpeacepress
Recall the scene from the film Her (2013) when Theodore meets his AI lover
in the cloud and they embark on a romance through endless conversations
About 80% of the world’s energy still comes from fossil fuels
oil and coal are fuelling the climate crisis
eight activists from Greenpeace Belgium confronted an LNG tanker coming from the US
in protest of Europe’s continued dependence on fossil gas imports
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Marysville football might be out of the MHSAA playoffs
but it still has a rooting interest this weekend.
coached Sanford Meridian to only its second district championship in program history last week
After Bilina helped Marysville in high school
he went on to play at Saginaw Valley State University
he started student-teaching at Sanford Meridian Public Schools
He landed a full-time job with the school in 2008.
He had a brief stint as a teacher at Almont in 2009 but made his way back to Meridian after a few retirements opened up a more desirable position for him.
Then-Meridian coach Nick Beaudry was Bilina's roommate at the time
so getting Bilina out to coach football was no trouble at all in 2010
Beaudry wound up taking a job elsewhere shortly afterward
so Bilina became the head coach of the Mustangs
a team that hadn't had much of a winning culture since starting their program in 1963.
"It was definitely a different culture after coming from Marysville
where we had a strong program," Bilina said
"We had an idea of what we wanted our team to be as far as consistency
from injuries to other teams being better than us in the Jack Pine Conference."
the year before Bilina started at Meridian
the Mustangs upset powerhouse Ithaca in the opening round and ended up winning their first district championship.
Bilina has built off that success ever since.
Meridian has made the playoffs six times under him
which includes a pair of district final appearances.
the Mustangs needed to defeat Ithaca to get to the district championship this season.
we've just clicked on all cylinders," he said
"No one predicted we'd have the season we're having now
We were excited to have that opportunity to play them again
and it was a good measuring-stick game to beat a team like that."
The Mustangs don't hang their hat on just one player or one side of the ball
That's why they've been able to battle tough with the handful of bigger schools on their schedule.
as his JV coach and a special varsity assistant
So the Blue Water Area-flavor the duo has brought to the program has paid off the past nine seasons.
we're practicing in 4 inches of snow and playing football in 26-degree weather," Bilina said
and we have zero complaints about the weather
Only a few teams get to do that this time of year."
Meridian (8-3) visits Montague (9-2) for the Division 6 regional championship at 1 p.m
Here are my picks for this week on the two Blue Water Area teams still playing (I'm 7-5 this postseason):
Port Huron and Seaholm used to play in the same conference in the 1950s and 60s
The Big Reds lead the all-time series 9-4-1
but the two schools haven't faced each other on the gridiron since 1963.
Port Huron is making only its second regional championship appearance
and it's gunning for its first-ever regional title
but the two programs share similar histories when it comes to playoff football. Port Huron 32
The Vikings have missed the playoffs only three times since 2000
That run includes four trips to the state semifinal and another to the state championship.
But Almont has knocked off every opponent in its path this season
It took down Richmond twice and then upset third-ranked Marine City last week on the road
This could be the Raiders' year to make it back to the state semifinal for the first time since 2014
Brandon Folsom is the sports reporter at the Times Herald. Do you have a story idea? Email him at bfolsom@gannett.com. Click here to follow him on Twitter.
We want the half-track burnout with Space Shuttle launch levels of tire smoke trailing behind
We want that wrinkled-up tire shot as a car digs in for the launch when the lights come down
We want crossed-up burnouts with the butterflies on the blower hat wide-freaking-open and we want the wheels hanging high in the air
we’ve come to know which cars put on a good show
Doug Duell’s “Drag’n Wagon” Plymouth was my go-to for the first couple of years I shot photos for BangShift…in fact
it was my first wheelie shot ever…but I quickly learned that this green 1956 Chevrolet was the car to really pay attention to
I first saw the car at the 2014 Holley Hot Rod Reunion as it got it’s now trademark wall rash on the driver’s side of the body
you’d better believe I’m right there
I might not be shooting a photo but I know that Mike Bilina is hell-bent on putting on a show for anyone in the seats
So what’s the story behind this skyward-bound shoebox
The car has actually been in this condition since 1965
with the exception of a fuel cell replacing the “beer keg” fuel tank
From the straight axle up front with no brakes to the cut-back location of the engine
it’s a 496ci Rat under the hood that is connected to an automatic transmission and onto an Oldsmobile rear axle with 4.30 gears
it’s 1956 Chevrolet or it’s purpose-built for hell-raising
It’s like a sledgehammer…simple and effective
If you look at the first crossmember right where a front bumper would normally be
you will see Bilina’s mantra: “It’s ALL about the SHOW!” And without question
there will be a show whenever the green Chevy rolls up into the waterbox
You don’t even have to wait for the actual race itself…his dry-hop launches are just as wild and just as high up in the air
Some will wince that a classic Chevy is being treated in such a manner
but the amount of people jammed in the seats and along Beech Bend’s fenceline to watch the show says that this car needs to remain in action just the way it is
and generally jaw-dropped that they got to see this car in action
It’s not the fastest thing out there (mid-10s are it’s normal range) but it’s got more showmanship than P.T
Give the audience what they want and they will always come back for more
He really likes to put on his show.And he brings his own cheer leaders ,his entire family
He will do a 2 gear wheelie and still do 9’s.Thats what I have seen.He has been doing it a long time.You can see that by looking at the car
Mike has shared his steak tacos with homemade Quac and Salsa with me every year I’ve been to the Meltdown Drags… He’s as genuine and original as his car…
I remember the first time I saw his “Show”at the Meltdown Drags 3 (My first) I was in the burnout box behind Mike’s running mate
Greg Grubel when I see both cars pull monster wheelstands… Mike’s Green Pile does a 4 ft wheelstand for about 100 ft then bounces into a second bumper scraper with the wheels turned hard to starboard – and nearly changes lanes on the 2nd re-entry
He puts it on 3 wheels with the correction… He still runs a 10.40 to Greg’s 9.80… I’m stunned !
I’m brought back to reality by the guy tending the Byron burnout box banging on my fender…
Or the time I saw Mike lift all 4 wheels off the ground… and it still went a 9.60…
Or the time he pulled the wheels in the pits as he shifted from Reverse to Drive on his way out to Sam’s Drive In…
Or the time he told me about the history of the car… and mentioned he was running “nostalgia” and doing monster wheelstands in 1986… Before there was “nostalgia”
He also mentioned he probably hasn’t even changed a spark plug since then
Or every time his trunk lid would pop open on the wheelstand… We kept threatening to put a tied up blow up doll in the trunk so it would fall out during the pass… (MIke being a retired Chicago cop and all) Not sure why we never did that
We travel from South Arkansas every year….just to see him do his thing
He’s on step down from the clown who wheelies his Gremlin into rollovers
I suppose that’s fun to some people……
I guess you would prefer the car be all gussied up and polished and then have it sit on the grass at a car show with a “Do not touch” sign on it… (What a waste that would be) This is a race car that deserves to be beat on
There’s very little left of an original 56 Chevy so I would hardly consider it “Classic”
It was a race car with a forgotten history
but Mike’s history with it has far exceeded what it did when it was first built… Mike entertains the troops and puts people in the bleachers at a time when attendance in drag racing is fading
He’s was the headline show at the biggest nostalgia show of its time and a number of other events every year
but they approach him… he isn’t marketing himself… It’s not his intent to destroy the car… But it is his intent to run it as often as he can because… It’s all about the show !
Very well said Davey.Mike is a great guy.Just enjoys his hot rod
I think you’re on the wrong page… I’m sure theres a group dedicated to lawn chairs you could join
May 21, 2014Brian Lohnes1320 Videos, BangShift 13203
Mike Bilina is no stranger to the pages of BangShift.com
vertically wheelstanding 1956 Chevy at races from Bowling Green to Michigan and he’s back again today
Sure the wheelstand he does is cool but the really funny part of this video is Bilina’s crew guy taking a total face plant on the very well prepped track at Michigan’s Milan (MY-Len) Dragway
The crew guy steps out ahead of Mike to back him up and line him up into the tracks of rubber he had just laid down on the burnout
Apparently the crew guy isn’t into tying his shoes ever day because he had those babies set up in “slip on” mode
That’s a quick way to leave the house and save yourself the arduous task of taking 30-seconds to tie your shoes but when you get onto a strip that has been fire hosed with VHT
you are 100% and completely boned as this guy found out
You’ll see him struggle for a second
and then make a kind of Jackie Chad dive out of the frame to the right side
collects his footwear and makes a break for the starting line
except for the level of internet fame he is achieving for his fancy footwork
Oh…there’s a race car in this deal as well
Mike Bilina’s 1956 Chevy has become famous for pulling vertical wheelies
The car is setup to lever the front end into the air as soon as Mike lets the clutch out and because the track was so sticky at Milan
and then heads right back up for the rare are with the trunk lid flopping and the driver pulling the next gear
We’ll probably see him at the upcoming Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green
PRESS PLAY HERE TO SEE MIKE BILINA STAND HIS STICK SHIFT 1956 CHEVY UP AFTER HIS CREW GUY FACE PLANTS ON THE TRACK
that track kicked that guy’s ass in every direction
The dry hops alone were pretty violent but you know a car is brutal when the trunk opens on a wheelstand
There’s a reason they put laces in sneakers
Might wanna remember that the next time you wobble out onto a sticky surface
The crew member needs a belt besides tying his shoes
The so-called “announcer’s curse” is a real thing and here’s how I know
Moments before Mike Bilina launched off in his familiar wheelstanding
1956 Chevy I said over the PA that whoever built the front suspension should be awarded some sort of Nobel Prize for his work because the thing survives like 10 violent landings per run
Mike then went out and in typical fashion pulled a wheelie that made the ’56 look like a 1.5 story bullding and it was after the third or twentieth landing from the initial wheelie that the front suspension broke
rendering the steering wheel all but a useless grab handle inside the car
The car suffered an incredible amount of wobbling before it lost all steering ability and turned Bilina into an unwilling passenger
The car nosed into the guard wall and the front end surely needs replacing and there’s definitely body work in that trunk’s feature as well
The hit was not anything that gave us concern for Mike’s health but the car is banged up
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MIKE BILINA’S WILD RIDE THAT ENDED UP IN THE WALL –
It sucks that it happened but it had to be inevitable with that constant abuse
This goes into the “play stupid games get stupid prizes” box for me
Sad to see a cool car crash and I hope the driver is ok
Just a dozen wheels up photos ?????No hitting anything or after math picts.
Still don’t know what you are talking about…
It’s the rail rash on the dr side fender/door above the moon eyes
The 1/4 is tucked in on dr side where the bumper end would be
I’ve got a couple of shots of the car with the damage in yesterday’s pics
‘Anyone else notice the front wheels are [always] cocked to the right when in the air
That’s gotta be rough on the suspension when the car touches down
‘Wonder if it’s a result of driver input or is that where they hang in an unloaded condition…
but I believe the ’56 has made at least one pass after scraping the rail
Search Youtube for “Bilina Hits wall”
The scrapes are from him hitting the wall at Union Grove last year
He just got the car back in the groove and mashed the throttle
not going to let a “lil wall stop him” ~ IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SHOW
and that’s exactly what he puts on…A SHOW!!
and for all those posting “it’s sad to see this car get banged up”….I’m sorry u feel that way
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CEZ Group has developed a new solution for securing solar photovoltaics in areas of unstable subsoil from the central section of conveyor belts previously used in strip coal mines
Several pilots of the steel structure have already been deployed on a reclaimed area near the Bílina Mine in northern Czechia
Czech utility CEZ Group has developed a new solution for securing solar panels in areas of unstable subsoil such as spoil heaps
It involves using the central section of conveyor belts used in strip coal mines
have been developing prototypes using retired mining equipment
in particular the steel structure that makes up the central section of the belts
CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Proedco
said the central sections of conveyor belts offer great advantages as they are robust
designed for heavy-duty operation and feature side rails that are now used for transport along the plain
“This makes these structures fit for any unstable subsoil or subsoil encumbered with an environmental burden
and they offer a non-invasive method of building photovoltaic power plants,” Straka added
If solar panels were mounted on unsettled land with standard structures they would jam and crack
By using old steel structures from conveyor belts
the structure tilts as a whole once the extracted material settles and therefore the stress does not impact the solar panels
CEZ says thousands of these modules will be available in the Bílina Mine, located in northern Czechia
Several pilot structures have already been deployed on a reclaimed area in close proximity to the Bílina Mine extraction area
“The positive news is that the performance of the solar panels did not drop,” said Jan Kalina
head of CEZ Group's Renewable and Conventional Energy Division
it will be more suitable to use technologies other than conventional silicon panels
such as thin-layer panels without silicon cells
in which the semiconductor is applied directly to the glass
The selection of the ideal technology is now the subject of further development.”
CEZ has set a target of building renewable sources with a capacity of up to 6 GW by 2030
More articles from Patrick Jowett
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the "gold medal mindset" helped her to become the most decorated U.S
with her family and even through her battle with ovarian cancer
who was a member of the gold-medal winning Magnificent Seven team at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996
launched the Port Huron Town Hall Series' 62nd season Monday morning by laying out her approach to the obstacles she has been presented
brings in speakers about once a month through March who discuss a variety of topics
audience members can attend a luncheon where they can meet the speaker in a more intimate setting
Each season features five speakers from different backgrounds
former "Good Morning America" host Joan Lunden
former Navy SEAL sniper Kevin Lacz and food historian Francine Segan
"It's just a cultural thing to bring to Port Huron," said Barbara Belanger
"I think we've got a really good community following."
About 1,000 people were in the audience Monday morning for Miller's talk
said she has been getting season tickets for the series for the past 17 years
She has seen so many speakers that she cannot pinpoint a favorite
Oleksiak brought her daughter with her on Monday to watch Miller
"It's an enjoyable day out," Oleksiak said
"It's pretty interesting to see how people started in their careers."
Miller said she hopes that her talk will inspire people to know that each day
counts and that it is crucial to set goals
just understand that what you do today matters," Miller said
Husband and wife Dennis and Marsha Bilina of Marysville have been attending each season's talks for about five years
"A lot of (the speakers) are people we've heard about in the past and now we're hearing their stories," Dennis Bilina said
Marsha Bilina said she has enjoyed the talks
"The speakers have been very good over the years," she said
It is important for people to be exposed to a variety of reflections
was a tough decision but one she felt was necessary
I won't skip my doctor's appointment,'" Miller said
"Sometimes we just need that little reminder from someone else
You never know where that click is going to come from — so it's important to have those voices."
Belanger said season tickets or individual tickets are still available and can be purchased at the McMorran Place Box Office or online at porthurontownhall.org.
Individual lecture tickets are $40 and individual luncheon tickets are $25
Season ticket costs are prorated based on the date
Contact Anya Rath at (810) 434-2172 or arath@gannett.com
2016: Former Good Morning America host Joan LundenDec
Tickets for the Port Huron Town Hall series are available by calling the McMorran Place Box Office at (810) 985-6166
Individual lecture tickets are $40 each; individual luncheon tickets are $25 each
Season tickets for the main floor or mezzanine are $135; season tickets for main floor or mezzanine seats and luncheon are $245
Season tickets for balcony seats are $120; season tickets for balcony seats and luncheon are $230
Editor’s Note: This wasn’t the closest call of 2019
I’d been on the property at Beech Bend for maybe…maybe twenty minutes when I got trackside
After stopping by and saying hi to a few people I knew would be there
I realized that the cars that put on a show were lined up and were just waiting for the track staff to cleanup a mess at the top end
All I needed to know was that Mike Bilina’s 1956 Chevrolet was in the lanes and that I needed to get my hind end alongside the fence to get some shots of that show
there will be plenty of coverage on his car coming down the pike
but in the meantime I’m offering up a chance for you
Just prior to Bilina’s car was Boyd Howe’s “Red Baron” 1955 Chevrolet 210
squaring off against Jerry Lopez’s “River Rat”
Howe’s Chevy is more often than not hanging the hoops high once the lights go down
the Chevy tried to rock up onto it’s passenger rear wheel and in the process made a turn directly for myself and friend of BangShift Tommy Lee Byrd
The Chevy came down exactly where Byrd had been trying to shoot
bending up the front axle and rashing the fender just a bit
the closest I’ve come to fear while shooting at a dragstrip was when a shoebox Ford had a nitrous pop in the manifold while I was trying to shoot a launch from the rear of the car in Joliet
that’s been replaced with a 1955 Chevrolet that tried to hammer-smash the photographers
Well after diving behind the wall and checking to make sure dell body parts are intact I would head to Walmart to get a new pair of shorts
Looks to me like yer thinking “I.m holding my ground til he lands or I get smashed!” Them’s some good shots
One of my closest calls since my Iraq days
Blood red eye\’s large mouth,shit Iam going to be run over by Sharkcaro
Czech Republic (AP) — ) — At least 19 people are dead and 24 others hospitalized
while others have been induced into comas in the hope that doctors can save them
All had drunk cheap vodka and rum laced with methanol
a toxic substance used to stretch alcohol on the black market and guarantee high profits for manufacturers
The Czech Republic announced emergency measures Wednesday as the death toll from the methanol poisoning mounted
Kiosks and markets were banned from selling spirits with more than 30 percent alcohol content and police raided outlets nationwide
Prime Minister Petr Necas called on all Czechs to refrain from drinking “any alcohol whose origin is uncertain” but authorities still feared the death toll will rise further
Little is officially known about the culprits other than that they work in the country’s depressed northeast
a former heartland of industry under communism
The Moravian-Silesian region near the border with Poland has unemployment about 50 percent higher than the national average of 8.3 percent
Of the 16 confirmed dead in the Czech Republic
eight lived in the region; two others died in neighboring Poland and one more in Slovakia
Senior police official Vaclav Kucera said all the poisoning cases so far are likely connected and two suspects have been arrested — one in the eastern city of Zlin and another in the northeastern city of Havirov
The first two fatalities were announced Sept
Methanol is mainly used for industrial purposes but unscrupulous criminal networks sometimes misuse it to illegally produce cheap liquor because it’s cheap and impossible to distinguish from real drinking alcohol
said autopsies might be done on about 150 people who have died in recent weeks to see if they were also victims
The Czech Republic is world-renowned for its high-quality pilsner beer and burgeoning wine industry and is the world’s biggest consumer of beer per capita
65 million liters of spirits were drunk in a nation of just over 10 million people
But the methanol scandal has shone an uncomfortable light on the darker side of the alcohol industry — and the way some are struggling to deal with a recession that has blighted parts of the country far away from the wealthy tourist magnet of Prague
The export-dependent Czech economy has been contracting since the third quarter of 2011 and only the biggest optimists see a tepid return to growth of less than one percent in 2013
“People with the lowest income are looking for the cheapest alcohol and are ready to accept unknown origins,” said Vladimir Steiner
executive director of a union of spirits producers
He estimated that 20 percent of all the liquor in restaurants across the country is likely made on the black market
a huge outbreak of methanol poisoning killed 170 people
43 people died in 1998 from illegally-made plum brandy and a man was sentenced to 12 years in jail
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We are deeply saddened to announce Kurt Leo Kowalski passed
He had just celebrated his 88th birthday in April
Loving husband of the late Judith MacKay-Kowalski (March 13
Kelly (Rob) Nesbitt and Todd (Andrea) Campbell
and extended family members in Germany: Wilhelm Bilina
As a young man Kurt immigrated to Canada from Germany in 1955
He settled in the Simcoe County region and remained there all his life
He worked for the Ministry of Agriculture as a Dairy Farm Inspector and was well liked and respected throughout the local community
and they were married that same year in October
saying “…I asked her to marry me after our third date” and with a glint in his eye
His kind and soft-spoken nature belied his strong character and fabulous sense of humour
True to his German roots he had a deep faith and resolve that carried him throughout his life
Kurt was an active member of the Northwest Barrie United Church
Over 100 young people took to the streets of Prague on Friday
to protest against the extension of mining at the Bílina coal mine in the north of the country until 2035
and the demonstration is indicative of the long-standing and complicated relationship Czechia has with the heat source
Members of the Czech division of the international Fridays for Future (FFF) movement
claim that the extension will lead to the destruction of Czechia’s landscape and the worsening of the climate crisis.
the We Are The Limits (Limity jsme my) movement protested against coal mining at Bílina
The company managing the Bílina mine is controlled by ČEZ Group
in which the state has an almost 70 percent share
wrote a letter to Prime Minister Petr Fiala
citing his previous pledges to create the right conditions for Czechia’s energy transformation to instigate a shift away from coal
by saying that continuing operations at Bílina does not conflict with its prior goals
the extension of mining at Bílina does not conflict with the government's plan to move away from coal by 2033
This plan is allegedly aimed only at stopping the burning of coal
for example in the production of electricity
and doesn't apply to mining that may lead to the sale of coal on the market"
The Bílina mine is not the only aspect that FFF is aggrieved about. The movement also demands governmental transparency about Poland’s Turów coal mine
which is just kilometers from Czechia’s border and affects the latter’s environment
FFF and other climate-activist groups want Fiala’s government to publish a report that details the damaging effects Turów has on Czech groundwater
Protesters say that the Polish mine contributes to serious water loss in Czechia
“At the very beginning of [the government’s] term, we saw a non-transparently signed agreement on the Turów mine, where mining is now planned till 2044,” ČTK reports the protest organizers as saying
In the letter to Fiala, FFF referred to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report
which states that Czechia has approximately 10 years to drastically change its approach to solving the climate crisis
preferably by switching to renewable energy sources
Czechia is one of just two countries in the EU that continue to produce hard coal (anthracite
which contains the highest amount of carbon)
The EURACOAL coal map for 2022 is out! Download it at https://t.co/J8rgxxpzdG pic.twitter.com/kL3VQUJSZo
Czechia produced 2.2 million tons of hard coal
comprising 4 percent of total EU production
Czechia also has the third-highest consumption of brown (lignite) coal out of all EU countries
comprising over 10 percent of total use in the bloc at about 30 million tons per year
However, the widescale outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war has seen the government alter its stance with regards to energy production
As specified by a European Parliament briefing entitled “Climate action in Czechia,” the country produces 3.5 percent of the EU's total greenhouse gas emissions – substantially higher than the EU average
A large problem currently, according to FFF, is that much of Czechia’s economy is based on coal and nuclear energy – more so than other European countries
A 2023 report compiled by several environmental NGOs found that Czcechia is “only partially fulfilling” its environmental pledges – with one of its shortcomings being its conversion of coal-produced energy to nuclear or renewable energy
“The Czech Republic fully adheres to the common climate goals of the EU – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030 and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050”
Czechia’s 2021 Environmental Report concluded by Czech Environmental Information Agency also detailed substantial shortcomings – namely
excessive coal burning in Czech households and an above-average amount of produced emissions
The government’s struggles with coal are clear
Although it is a cheaper method of sourcing energy (especially in the context of the current war in Ukraine) with ample resources available
coal’s environmentally damaging effects can not be understated
the government has a tough call to make if it wants to phase out coal in the next decade. FFF’s protest is a sign that people’s patience – and the time left to change Czechia’s environmental direction – may well be running out.
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Společnost Severočeské doly chce rozšířit území povrchové těžby hnědého uhlí
U jejího záměru pro první etapu v letech 2019 – 2035 nyní ministerstvo životního prostředí posuzuje vliv na životní prostředí
Podle zpracovatelů dokumentace (EIA) posun Dolu Bílina o stovky metrů od Braňan ke vznikajícímu Jezeru Most silně naruší ráz neobydlené krajiny v západní části Mostecka
ale významně nezhorší životní prostředí v okolí a zdraví obyvatel
bílinského regionu určitým způsobem dotkne.„Bude zrušena přeložka silnice mezi Braňany a Mariánskými Radčicemi
kterou bílinští obyvatelé využívají pro cestu do Litvínova nebo Krušných hor,“ konstatovala starostka Bíliny Zuzana Schwarz Bařtipánová (ANO)
Upozornila také na vliv dolu na prašnost a hlučnost v Bílině a okolí
že tyto negativní dopady těžby se Severočeské doly snaží rok od roku lépe eliminovat
Podobně jako Bíliny se ekologické dopady těžby týkají na Teplicku také Duchcova
Těžařská společnost svůj projekt hájí i tím
že těžbu budou doprovázet ochranářská opatření s rekultivací a že z vytěžené jámy v budoucnu vznikne velké jezero a lesíky s rybníky pro rekreaci
Ekologové přesto proti další těžbě protestují.Plán na Dole Bílina počítá s těžbou až 150 milionů tun uhlí
„Do roku 2035 je hnědého uhlí potřeba pro zajištění energetické bezpečnosti státu,“ řekl šéf Severočeských dolů Ivo Pěgřímek
Firma si podle něj uvědomuje negativní vliv spalování uhlí na klima
ale plán těžby je v souladu s mezinárodními dohodami a limity
který po mnoho let v těchto historicky stanovených dobývacích prostorech probíhá,“ dodal
Záměr se opírá o usnesení české vlády z roku 2015
kdy posunula územní limity pro případnou těžbu směrem k Jezeru Most.Těžba však nemá proniknout blíž než 500 metrů k obcím
Plánovaný nový zábor krajiny představuje necelé dva kilometry čtvereční v důlní oblasti o rozloze dvacetkrát větší
Při maximální těžbě 10 milionů tun uhlí ročně jeho zásoby vydrží 15 let
firma ale plánuje produkci snižovat kvůli očekávanému oslabení poptávky
Státu předané odborné studie nezjistily závažné negativní dopady další těžby
„Vlivy na životní prostředí jsou přijatelné,“ uvedl Luboš Motl z týmu zpracovatelů dokumentace
Například roční koncentrace prachu mají zůstat pod limity
s krátkodobým překračováním jako dosud se ale počítá
Hluk z šachty má dokonce někde klesnout.Předseda litvínovského zastupitelského výboru pro životní prostředí a limity těžby Petr Globočník (Zelení) označil podceňování vlivů na zdraví „za facku obyvatelům“
Bez závazného stanoviska ministerstva nemohou Severočeské doly žádat další úřady o povolení těžby
the relationship between CPM and Rajendran worsened
Lok Sabha elections are around the corner and reports say BJP has invited him to join the party
the Mathrubhumi representative interacted with Rajendran
I don't have the habit of changing my opinions day by day
Is it true that a BJP leader came to your house to invite you
A friend had called to inform me that a BJP leader wanted to see me
It's against my values to not allow someone to enter my house
I haven't thought about such things yet
What am I supposed to tell them when I haven't decided anything
You mentioned your situation in CPM; what is it about
I was suspended from the party for a year in 2022
I was suspended over an allegation that I tried to defeat a CPM candidate
It doesn't mean I can't like our party if I don't renew my membership
We can admire the party from inside as well as outside
Membership is required only for those who benefit from the party
I am not interested in working with members who will deceive
A report was made against me without conducting a proper investigation
Didn't the party leadership attempt to bring you back
I was asked to come back and work for the party
Govindan Master had asked me to stay closer and support the party
it is usual they try to call back those who left and bring everyone together
Such comments are punishable under cyber laws
The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi
the Green Deal Summit – the largest Czech conference on the Green Deal
sustainability and energy – is taking place at the Academy of Arts and Crafts in Prague
attended by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
the Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Environment Minister Petr Hladík
The opening of the conference was preceded by a protest happening organised by Greenpeace and the Re-set platform
Environmental activists dressed in masks of politicians and leading representatives of the main partners of the summint appeared in front of the banner „Greenwashing summit: For corporations
The performance drew attention to problematic partners of the conference – the fossil fuel company ČEZ
which is trying to extend coal mining at the Bílina coal mine
and Komerční banka (part of Societe General)
which financially supports the fossil oligarch and the largest importer of Russian gas to Europe
Daniel Křetínský via his holding company EPH
the partners of the Green Deal Summit are trying to greenwash their activities
The ČEZ group includes the company Severočeské doly that is currently seeking to extend mining at the Bílina open-pit mine until at least 2035
which would have a major negative impact on the climate
The more than 8 million tonnes of coal mined at Bílina annually represent 11.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions
approximately 10 percent of the annual emissions of the entire Czech Republic
which is a general partner of the Green Deal Summit
has long financed the coal baron Křetínský and his company EPH
which is one of the three largest European coal companies and already has the worst decarbonisation plans among European energy companies
EPH is currently planning a major expansion of its gas infrastructure
Companies such as ČEZ and Komerční banka may be trying to present themselves as environmentally friendly actors
but their coal and fossil finance activities are at odds with their sustainability and environmental goals
Komerční banka’s partnership with the Green Deal Summit raises questions about its real commitment to sustainability
especially in the context of its financial support for Daniel Křetínský’s fossil enterprises
concrete steps are also lacking on the part of the current government
Petr Hladík are attending the Green Deal Summit as well.None of the scenarios of the forthcoming National Energy and Climate Plan of the Czech Republic achieves the required targets for the share of renewable energy sources (RES) and energy savings by 2030
the target for the share of RES in the Czech Republic’s energy consumption should be between 33 and 35 percent
The proposal still puts an artificial limit on the development of renewables and instead specifies four new nuclear reactors as a mandatory input to the modelling
regardless of the cost and risks of construction delays
head of the energy campaign of Greenpeace ČR
said: „CEZ Group proudly proclaims itself to be environmentally friendly and sustainable
its efforts to extend mining at the Bílina mine until at least 2035 completely contradict this
it is more appropriate to speak of ČEZ as a company full of greenwashing.“
said: „Komerční banka is one of the biggest bank backers of EPH
a company that grew up on gas imports from Russia and through which its owner Daniel Křetínský consistently delays the necessary end of coal in Germany while planning to build new large scale gas infrastructure
If we are to take the Commercial Bank’s words on climate protection seriously
it must abandon its collaboration with the problematic fossil fuel oligarch
Otherwise it is just cheap greenwashing.“
said: „The National Energy and Climate Plan
which is currently undergoing inter-ministerial comment procedure
is a crucial document that will determine the shape of energy transformation and climate protection in the Czech Republic
Maximizing the targets for RES and energy savings is essential for the Czech Republic to meet its climate commitments
It is unacceptable for the Czech Republic to fixate on nuclear power at the expense of these solutions
which will not help us solve the climate crisis by 2030 and which is supported at all costs by Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela.“
Téměř 20 aktivistů a aktivistek Greenpeace
vylezlo dnes v časných ranních na jedno z rypadel v polském příhraničním uhelném dole Turów
Uhelná elektrárna Chvaletice oznámila ukončení dodávek tepla ke konci roku 2025
Elektrárna není významným dodavatelem tepla a bude nahrazena novými malými zdroji tepla blíže spotřebě
Dnes ráno prezident Petr Pavel jmenuje nové ministry
včetně ministra průmyslu a obchodu Lukáše Vlčka (STAN)
Ekologické organizace zabývající se energetikou upozorňují na hlavní výzvy
Abychom vás mohli skutečně zapojit do našich kampaní a ochrany přírody
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A police ammunition depot in the Czech Republic caught fire in the northern Bohemian town of Bilina
Around 150 workers in an adjacent industrial park within a radius of 500 metres of the explosion were brought to safety
the fire brigade could only start extinguishing the fire after about an hour
Discarded ammunition from the police was reportedly housed in the warehouse
The blast could be heard at a distance of 15 kilometres
The cause of the accident was initially unknown
Bilina has around 17,000 inhabitants and is not far from the German border
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