CANCUN, Mexico, Dec. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "DIRTY COAL: The Toxic Addiction," a documentary film, held its premier today during the United Nations COP 16 climate conference in Cancun, Mexico. The film sponsored by REAP (Renewable Energy Accountability Project) calls on world leaders to focus on this major threat.  The film features important interviews with actress and activist Daryl Hannah; author and energy policy expert S. David Freeman; and co-founder of the United Farm Workers Union Dolores Huerta.  "Time is ticking away, and China and the United States are the biggest global warming emissions polluters on the planet.  Each year, these economic superpowers emit over 5.5 billion tons of CO2 by burning fossil fuels to generate electricity – most of it from burning dirty-coal," said Jaime Gonzalez, director of the film.

"Not only are coal-fired power plants the largest contributors to global warming pollution but they poison the surrounding communities throughout the world with their waste products," continued Gonzalez.

The effects of the growing climate crisis become more evident every day; communities are being wiped out by cancer clusters due to coal-ash sludge in the United States; there are mega-fires in Russia and Israel, as well as devastating floods in Pakistan, Colombia, Venezuela, and Guatemala.   Reports presented inCancun state that by 2030 one million deaths due to the climate crisis will occur annually with financial losses at almost $170 billion annually.  

"These facts add up to one clear conclusion.  We must stop burning dirty-coal sooner rather than later to generate electricity," concluded Gonzalez.

** The Renewable Energy Accountability Project is a nationwide grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring energy independence and reducing atmospheric pollution. REAP monitors and reports on the progress of clean electricity generation as we transition away from dirty coal and fossil fuels.  For more information visit:  reapinfo.org

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Jim Gonzalez