EUYC in English: THE REAL COST OF COAL

THE REAL COST OF COAL
Croatia 2016
Director: Vibor Juhas (for the Association GREEN ISTRIA)
Animation
7 minutes
Age recommendation: from 10 years up
Key words: fossil fuels, globalization, global injustice, trade
Synopsis
For the first time in Croatia, the animated film combines the devastating effects of coal exploitation
in Colombia with the power plant in Plomin into one story. For many years, this power plant
has been largely supplied with Colombian coal, including from the notorious El Cerrejón, one of
the largest coal mines in the world.
Like a cancer, Cerrejón is devouring the environment and natural resources necessary for the lives
of many indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities in the La Guajira region. It robs them of
water, land, and livelihoods, and contributes significantly to the horrors of the ongoing humanitarian
crisis. On the other side of the world, on the eastern coast of the Istrian peninsula, the
smokestack of the Plomin power plant smiles almost sinisterly as it emits greenhouse gases. The
thermal power plant slurps water bloodthirstily as it burns coal from La Guajira. The polluted air
harms the health of Croatian citizens and causes climate change.
While corporations lust for profit and countries thirst for imported fossil fuels, local communities,
who have clearly shown they do not want large mines or coal-fired power plants, are the victims
of an unjust development model. The price of coal is much higher than the statistics show, but
there is a light at the end of the tunnel...
Tasks
1. Coal from Columbia for Croatia:
The example shown in the film demonstrates the mechanisms of globalization. Richer
countries purchase fossil fuels such as coal from Columbia. The coal is burnt in far-away
Croatia while Columbia’s environment is harmed.
- What effect does the film have on the students?
- How do they feel about the shown example?
2. Style of the film:
The film has a clear stance on this topic. It is very interesting in what way the animation
tells the story. After watching the film the class can talk about the cinematic techniques
and methods used in the film (music, sound, bright vs. dark images, sketches of the protagonists
etc.). What do the students notice?