It is now time to move on.

Every stage of coal use - mining, transport, storage, burning - produces massive amounts of pollution, causing many severe health impacts.

Greenhouse gas emissions (burning coal being the largest contributor) are destroying our planet, and rightly receive a lot of attention.

OTHER RECENT ECO NEWS COLUMNS:

The carbon lobby has been very effective in suppressing awareness of the human health risks of coal.

Despite being one of the world's leading producers, consumers and exporters of coal, Australia undertakes very little monitoring or research into the health effects of the use of coal. We are largely dependent on overseas studies.

Authoritative studies in Europe and the United States show severe health impacts on miners, workers and communities.

Coal mining and coal electricity generation emit known highly toxic and carcinogenic substances into our air, water and land.

They include mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, nitrogen oxides, airborne inhalable particulates, and radioactive substances.

Miners are at risk of accidents, "black lung" (21 Australian cases since 2015), cancer, heart disease and premature death.

Water from mines is highly toxic. Transport, often in uncovered rail wagons, exposes large populations to coal dust.

Burning coal releases large amounts of many toxins. Coal contains thorium and uranium, both radioactive. They are either released into the atmosphere, or remain in the fly ash.

Radiation emitted by a coal-fired power station carries into the surrounding environment 100 times more radiation than a nuclear power plant producing the same amount of energy.

We produce enormous amounts of fly ash (500 kilograms per person, per year). This highly toxic residue is then stored in ash dams near every power station, with major risk of air and water contamination.

Australia must: