Please CUK members, help us to stop the World Bank from granting a US$3.7billion loan to out (parastatal) power utility Eskom. It seems the UK holds the final vote on this, therefore this post... Please help!
I've just signed a petition to the Executive Directors of the World Bank urging them to reject a proposed loan to Eskom to build the world's fourth-largest coal plant.
Rejecting this loan is a crucial step towards a clean energy future and I hope you'll join me. Here's the link:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_eskom_coa...CLICK_TF_TRACK
And here's more info from Avaaz.org:
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Dear friends in South Africa,
In just days, the World Bank will vote on a proposed R29 billion loan to Eskom to build the fourth-largest coal plant in the world -- a climate disaster. At the same time, Eskom plans to effectively double electricity rates over the next three years. Big polluters are getting cut-rate electricity while ratepayers would be left to pay back this disastrous loan.
But the loan is not a done deal. Some creditors are having second thoughts, with the US expected to abstain and several European delegates reportedly on the fence. And we can tip the balance -- we just need one "no" vote to table the proposal since the Bank rarely proceeds with divisive votes!
While Eskom trumpets the plan, we can tell World Bank directors how we feel about coal. Let the Word Bank know that we don't want its dirty loan - click below to sign the petition today:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_eskom_coa...CLICK_TF_TRACK
The Bank is right to recognize South Africa's energy needs, but this loan would be putting money in the wrong place. Instead of dirty coal, South Africa needs energy efficiency and clean, renewable sources of power that people who most need it can actually afford. If this loan is approved, South Africans will pay for it several-fold -- in meteoric electricity rates, missed clean energy investments, polluted air, destroyed land, and the warming earth on which we live.
Dozens of South African environmental, community, church, labour, academic and women's organizations, representing a diverse, unified voice have mobilized to stop the loan. But every voice counts in these last days before the World Bank vote. Act now -- sign the petition opposing the loan:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_eskom_coa...CLICK_TF_TRACK
With hope,
Ben, Paul, Graziela, David, Alice, Ricken, and the whole Avaaz team
More information --
NGO Response to the World Bank panel report and Fact Sheet
http://www.groundwork.org.za/Publica...dFactSheet.pdf
Original World Bank Fact Sheet
http://www.groundwork.org.za/Publica...nfactsheet.pdf
World Bank to Consider $4 Billion Loan Application From Eskom
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=aGkhG0hBKlrE
SAfrica grants Eskom 24.8 pct price rise for 2010/11
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSW...pe=marketsNews
Rejecting this loan is a crucial step towards a clean energy future and I hope you'll join me. Here's the link:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_eskom_coa...CLICK_TF_TRACK
And here's more info from Avaaz.org:
____
Dear friends in South Africa,
In just days, the World Bank will vote on a proposed R29 billion loan to Eskom to build the fourth-largest coal plant in the world -- a climate disaster. At the same time, Eskom plans to effectively double electricity rates over the next three years. Big polluters are getting cut-rate electricity while ratepayers would be left to pay back this disastrous loan.
But the loan is not a done deal. Some creditors are having second thoughts, with the US expected to abstain and several European delegates reportedly on the fence. And we can tip the balance -- we just need one "no" vote to table the proposal since the Bank rarely proceeds with divisive votes!
While Eskom trumpets the plan, we can tell World Bank directors how we feel about coal. Let the Word Bank know that we don't want its dirty loan - click below to sign the petition today:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_eskom_coa...CLICK_TF_TRACK
The Bank is right to recognize South Africa's energy needs, but this loan would be putting money in the wrong place. Instead of dirty coal, South Africa needs energy efficiency and clean, renewable sources of power that people who most need it can actually afford. If this loan is approved, South Africans will pay for it several-fold -- in meteoric electricity rates, missed clean energy investments, polluted air, destroyed land, and the warming earth on which we live.
Dozens of South African environmental, community, church, labour, academic and women's organizations, representing a diverse, unified voice have mobilized to stop the loan. But every voice counts in these last days before the World Bank vote. Act now -- sign the petition opposing the loan:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_eskom_coa...CLICK_TF_TRACK
With hope,
Ben, Paul, Graziela, David, Alice, Ricken, and the whole Avaaz team
More information --
NGO Response to the World Bank panel report and Fact Sheet
http://www.groundwork.org.za/Publica...dFactSheet.pdf
Original World Bank Fact Sheet
http://www.groundwork.org.za/Publica...nfactsheet.pdf
World Bank to Consider $4 Billion Loan Application From Eskom
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=aGkhG0hBKlrE
SAfrica grants Eskom 24.8 pct price rise for 2010/11
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSW...pe=marketsNews
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