The unlikely alliance helping Poland ditch coal
Poland has a deep and historic relationship with coal, importing huge amounts despite producing yet more locally. With the energy crisis biting, fuelled by the war in Ukraine, the country’s government withdrew restrictions on burning materials and subsidised coal, creating huge air quality issues, particularly in the industrial south – reversing 10 years of hard work by air pollution campaigners in the process.
The Guardian visits southern Poland to witness first hand the impact of this decision on affected communities, meeting the ostracised miners at the front of the culture wars, and joining climate activists visiting towns in the region that are fighting back against fossil fuels and air pollution
00:00 Poland’s clean air revolution
01:01 In the Jankowice coal mine
02:56 The Makoszowy mine alliance
06:11 Into Lower Silesia
08:39 Rybnik’s eco patrol
10:22 The slag dump scavenger
12:07 Success in Rybnik
