President stops development of new federal coal leases

by Jana Gastellum, Climate Program Director Yesterday the President announced an indefinite halt to new leases of public lands for the purpose of coal mining. This bold move is a step in the right direction. Coal contributes nearly a third of the US' carbon-dioxide pollution, a dangerous culprit that leads to global warming. With the effects of climate change more visible each week, every climate action matters now. We celebrate the President's decision to halt coal mining leases. Not only does dirty coal pollute our air, but it damages our health. In the US coal pollution related illnesses cost us billions of dollars in health care and tens of ...