Energy crisis coal switch increased emissions, illnesses and deaths across 6 countries

In addition to serious economic damage, the energy crisis of 2021/22 also had dramatic consequences for the environment and people's health. This is the conclusion reached by two researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) in a new study. Although the temporary switch from gas to coal for producing electricity was cheaper and contributed to securing the energy supply, in the six European countries featured in the study, it caused additional costs of around one billion euros for the environment and health.