By Chinoyi Chipulu.
Environmentalist Mailes Muke has urged the government not to construct another coal power plant in the country, in response to the current energy crisis saying while the country may be desperate for energy, it should not pursue non-green solutions.
Speaking in an interview interview yesterday, Muke who is also Save the Environment and People Agency (SEPA) project manager said the government was supposed to look for solutions that would reduce emissions.
Muke said a coal power plant had great impact on climate change and the environment as coal released large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.
“A coal power house is bad because methane is released during coal mining and contributes to the greenhouse effect. Although less prevalent than carbon dioxide, methane is much more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a shorter period,” she said.
Muke said the air pollution would also be another challenge that would be affecting people.
“Sulfur Dioxide will be released and this gas is produced from the sulfur in coal and can lead to acid rain, which harms ecosystems and buildings. Nitrogen Oxides will also contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone and smog, leading to respiratory problems and other health issues,” she said.
Muke said there are other heavy metals coal contained when released into the atmosphere and could contaminate water bodies, affecting aquatic life and human health.
The environmentalist said there was need to promote environmentally friendly initiatives like solar and wind.
The sentiments were echoed by Citizens Environmental and Social Concern-(CESCO) – executive director Cornwell Hakapya.
Last week, Finance and National Planning Minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane said the government planned to construct a coal power station at a cost of US$400 million in an effort to lessen dependence on hydro-power.
