YANC installing the CCS sign

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is often touted as the solution to climate change caused by carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power stations.

The idea is that we dig up coal, burn it at a power station and then ‘capture’ the resultant carbon dioxide emissions and bury the gas in big holes in the ground; like old north-sea oil wells.

Chris Mackins of YANC said: “We at YANC think we’ve found how to make this work. What is currently proposed is to dig up the coal, which is largely solid carbon, burn it, then capture that carbon and then re-bury it. Does that sound sensible to you or does it sound like some kind of perpetual motion machine?

“Why not just leave the carbon in the ground and find other carbon-free ways of making electricity like wind, wave, tidal and solar power. On top of that add decentralised energy and energy efficiency. A recent article in New Scientist (14.3.09 edition) speculates that we could provide all of Europe’s electricity with renewable technology within 30 years.

“CCS is an ‘emperor’s new clothes’ technology – wanting to bury carbon that is already buried! Why make life complicated? The carbon has already been captured and stored, millions of years ago, by natural processes. Let’s leave coal in the ground. This really is a no-brainer.

YANC installed a sign at the proposed Newton Lane open cast site to make the situation plain. The sign reads: “CARBON CAPTURED & STORED – BY ORDER OF YANC”

“Leeds City council will decide on the Newton Lane open cast very soon. Planning permission needs to be turned down on grounds of tackling climate change. To make progress on climate change – leave coal in the ground.