Please help us here in South Africa...

[Churchill]

I like the idea that we'll be able to import coal from half-way around the world cheaper than we can mine it here - I'm out!

[cojak]

Sorry, you haven't sold it to me - I'm all for a 'hands off' approach to these places these days.

nothing changes even if you do get involved...

[NotAllThere]

we can tell World Bank directors how we feel about coal

I'm out. I like coal.

[Coalman]

You expect me to vote for that?

Yours

Coalman

[ettubrute]

Why is everything our fault?

Sort yerselves out FFS...

I'm not blaming anyone... SA is absolutely responsible for their own dung heap they created. I only posted this because the UK has a BIG say on the World Bank loan!

On top of this, via the corrupt political schemes here, the ANC stands to gain R1bn in profit from this loan, since they have a 25% share in the company that was awarded the contract to build this power station... Had to add this bit of information, since I know you love corrupt politics!

[shaunbhoy]

What's so "dirty" about coal anyway? It is just squashed trees innit?

[SueEllen]

But haven't been for many a year...

Yeah but haven't you heard that Mugabe - it's the British fault

And if it's not that then you can blame the BBC like Iran.

[cojak]

But haven't been for many a year...

[SueEllen]

Why is everything our fault?

Sort yerselves out FFS...

We are members of the World Bank.

And SA use to be a colony.

[cojak]

Why is everything our fault?

Sort yerselves out FFS...

[DiscoStu]

Sorry, I quite like the idea of the UK getting warmer. For that reason, I'm out.

[d000hg]

Wtf?

[ettubrute]

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:
____

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