Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Harpeau]

The Korean Coal Plants and the plethora of Korean diesel cars are slowly killing us. We'll be coughing into our coffins!

[World Traveler]

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20170201000833

[nicwr2002]

But yet I hardly see people wearing masks when the levels are high. I even get made fun of for wearing a mask. A lot of ignorant people out there.

[World Traveler]

Countries across the globe are burdened with disease and in the world’s death capitals, there could be 70,000 premature deaths a year by 2030.

Air pollution has become a major crisis in countries in Southeast Asia as well as South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and China.

A study from Greenpeace International and Harvard University has discovered coal-fired power plants built in these countries are slowly killing people and creating an “airpocalypse”.

Australia is the world’s biggest coal exporter, with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan the best customers.

Burning coal can lead to smog, acid rain and toxic air pollution and the environmental impacts are disastrous, with coal-fired power plants being the nations’ top source of carbon dioxide emissions.

There are a number of planned projects to expand coal power in the Southeast and East Asian regions. If coal-fired power plants presently planned or under construction are built, there will be 20,000 more premature deaths a year by 2030, the report states.

The air pollution will put people at risk of strokes, lung cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

If coal-fired power plants are stopped, about 50,000 lives could be saved a year by 2030, the report found.

“Reliance on coal in emerging Southeast Asian countries will have substantial and long-lasting impacts on air quality and public health,” Harvard University lead researcher Shannon Koplitz said.

“We estimate that tens of thousands of premature deaths could be avoided through cleaner energy choices. These significant human health costs should be considered when making choices about Southeast Asia’s energy future.”

The research found if coal-fired power plant projects go ahead, coal emissions in Southeast Asia, Korea and Japan will triple.