At the climate conference, Polish President Andrzej Duda told delegates the country had 200-years worth of coal supplies in the ground. The fossil fuel will still make up half of its energy mix in 2050. The trade unionists believe it can be different.Īt the United Nations climate summit hosted by Katowice - a city with a strong mining tradition - Poland invited heads of state to adopt a declaration that would ensure such a "just transition" to a fossil fuel-free economy based on principles of social justice.īut even as the country pledges much support for renewable energy, it plans to keep plenty of coal burning. While most of the men got jobs at other mines, women with 40 or more years of experience haven't been able to find an alternative. Women, who generally worked in administrative roles, were the biggest losers. Nobody wanted to explain to us what happened." "The workers in the mine felt deceived and neglected. "They treated us like objects," said Chwiluk. Polish lawmakers had promised workers it wouldn't be closed but then reneged - to huge protest. That's not what happened at the Makoszowy mine, according to the trade union. Read more: UN chief says world is 'way off course' on climate change The annual UN climate summit (COP24) is hosted by Katowice - a city with a strong mining tradition "But the transformation must be person-centered and not only about the economy." "This transformation is important and it will happen anyway," said Chwiluk. They want a transition away from Poland's carbon-based economy that gives a fair deal to coal workers and the communities affected by a green energy transformation. Still, Chwiluk says most of the miners know coal has to go at some point - although, they'd like continue producing the fuel for longer than climate science says is safe.īut for the trade union representatives, it's the way coal is phased out that is important. They want to keep such revered traditions alive, which is why they visit schools and kindergartens in the area to explain the region's history with the fossil fuel.
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Read more: Germany's mining communities brace themselves for post-coal era His office walls are covered in old photos of the mine, football trophies and an intricately decorated banner depicting Saint Barbara, who the miners believe protects them in their dangerous labors underground.Įach year on her saint's day in December, Silesian miners wear traditional black uniforms with gold buttons, plumed hats and sabers, and parade in the streets with brass bands in her honor. Poland is still heavily dependent coal for power, with the sector directly employing 100,000 people in 2015