”Edmonton çöp yakma merkezi’nin durdurulmasi için mail gönderelim!”

Mektup örneği aşağıdadır:

“Dear Leader,

“We are writing to you in relation to the planned expansion of the incinerator facility in Edmonton.

“We understand that the North London Waste Authority are continuing with the expansion despite objections by local councillors, the local MP Kate Osamor and residents. There is clearly a need to manage waste effectively in North London however the way in which decisions are being made by the Waste Authority appear to disregard the legitimate concerns of residents whose lives will be impacted.

“We call on you as local council leaders to stop the expansion of the incinerator and review the options available for a more sustainable means which do not involve polluting the local area.

There is a need for an immediate pause and review of the expansion, not least because according to your own submission to government, “the facility will be able to install carbon capture and storage, as soon as the technology becomes viable, which will see the facility preventing carbon emissions in the future.1 ”

“Clearly the technology does not prevent emissions and will impact the economic and physical wellbeing of residents. The priority should be to address the issues raised at COP26, particularly through waste avoidance as a way of reducing greenhouse gases. North London Waste Authority has a chance to rise to the challenge by investing in the right infrastructure that can respond to COP26 and address health inequalities for residents through cleaner air and reduced carbon emissions.

“There is a long-standing trend of incinerators being built and expanded in the UK’s poorest most deprived areas. This leads residents and campaigners to naturally ask; why if these incinerators are as safe and harmless as claimed, they are being rejected as viable options in more affluent areas such as Cambridgeshire. Companies cannot be trusted to make grand claims about the safety of incinerators. Third party/independent scrutiny and research is needed to ensure that the appropriate public health and safety precautions are in place and that there really is no risk to the lives of residents in the area. It is no exaggeration to say that even Chernobyl was deemed safe until the disaster happened. In Chernobyl too assurances were given to residents that risks were reduced. In fact even if risks are reduced, should these risks materialise they are not reversible. If the technology is not developed carbon capture will not be possible and many lives will be ruined.

“Whilst formal consultations may have taken place in the past in relation to the incinerator in Edmonton, what is clear is that deprived communities like those in the North London Waste Authority geography are less likely to be able to engage effectively and even when they do – are more likely to be ignored. Despite this, residents campaigned and raised concerns about the incinerator’s impact on their lives and fears around the expansion. These concerns have all fallen on deaf ears, with councils appearing unwilling to engage and respond to these concerns at all. Moreover, we have seen insufficient efforts on the part of the authorities to move towards more sustainable waste management.

“The injustice and discriminatory impact of the decision to expand the incinerator is clear as day. As council leaders you must show that you have a conscience and are actively undermining discrimination and addressing health inequalities. The expansion of the incinerator tells residents that their lives simply do not matter. At a time when the whole country is focused on tackling the climate emergency through radical steps, the forthcoming review of this decision by councillors is an opportunity to stop this facility before it is too late and for the North London Waste Authority to lead by example.

“Residents want to know, would you as leader of the council be happy to live in the vicinity of the incinerator? Would you be happy to raise your children there and have them play outdoors and breath in the particles in the air? Would you invest in house in the area knowing that the expansion of the incinerator will reduce the value of your investment and discourage people from living in the area? The answers to these questions should shape your decisions and actions.

“We call on you to stand with your residents and take remedial action.”