Sate Sampattagul, a lecturer in mechanical engineering at Chiang Mai University, said public concerns about the project were logically sound. Among potential problems are a major loss of forestland and biodiversity, air pollution and high greenhouse-gas emissions caused by extracting and burning coal, Sate noted. “But coal mining is generally considered quite harmful for both the environment and people’s health. “The air pollution from coal mining will be much more harmful to people’s health than wildfire smoke, because it contains several toxic substances that could severely endanger health,” Sate stressed. “I know coal mining is seen as quite negative in the public’s mind, so I understand why the local people are concerned,” he said.

Source: The Nation Bangkok May 23, 2019 21:45 UTC