Mapping hypocrisy in the world’s most sensitive regions.

Coal mining is a dirty business, trashing local ecosystems and contributing to the climate crisis. This counts doubly so for mines located in legally protected areas. These are sensitive regions that officials have determined to be worth extra protection. And yet, these same governments have allowed coal mining. Based on Global Energy Monitor’s dataset of coal mines, and the IUCN’s World Database of Protected Areas. Each of the 21 operating, and 7 in-development, coal mines represent a profound example of policy hypocrisy- protecting an area on one hand and allowing one of the dirtiest activities in it on the other hand. Explore the interactive map below to learn more about these dangerous extraction operations.