Michael Bloomberg : an ex - Wall Streeter turn media Moghul who was elect the 108th mayor of New York , serving for three terms – first as a Republican , then as an Independent – between 2002 and 2013 . He now acts as a UN special envoy on climate variety and bosom his function as an eco - warrior . Since 2010 , he has been defend in the " war on coal " , a campaign that has see the closure of half of all US coal power plants in the space of six years . His next target : Europe .
Bloomberg has announced plans to donate $ 50 million to the European Climate Foundation . The money will be spent on grassroots campaigning , lawsuit against tycoon flora seen to be breaking environmental regularisation , and inquiry into the effects of coal on public health .
As of right now , roughly 20 per centum of carbon emissions from countries in the European Union ( EU ) make out from coal . But the tides are turning . In 2016,86 pct of all new poweradded to Europe ’s electrical energy grid came from renewables ; in the UK , there is nowmore electrical energy generated from solar panelsthan coal ; and , of course , in wake of the US ' withdrawal from the Paris Accord , the EUvoted to make the understanding legally binding .
This annunciation do while Bloomberg is in Bonn , representing an substitute American delegacy at the UN Climate Change Conference ( 6 - 17 November ) alongside California Governor Jerry Brown . The group of 2,500 political and business leadership will rival the official delegation led by Trump , Pruitt , and co , who hope to influence the steering of the Paris arrangement despite have madethe decision to leave behind .
As well as the obviousenvironmental damagecaused by ember power plants , Bloomberg has expressed business concern aboutits effects on health .
" terminate ember power production is the right matter to do , because while it may seem to be an inexpensive energy source the impact on our surround and the impingement on public health is significant . ember is a self - inflict public health risk , polluting the breeze we breathe , adding mercury to the water supply we drink and the run cause of climate disruption , ” suppose Bloomberg , in a 2011 clause byRolling Stone .
He also points out that ember is n’t necessarily a cheaper beginning of energy .
" The war on ember has never been led by Washington . It has been led by market forces that are providing cleaner and chintzy sources of muscularity , ” Bloomberg evidence journalist , as reported byBloomberg .
In the US , Bloomberg has donated $ 164 m to environmental groups like the Sierra Club.$64 m was givenafter Pruitt announce the EPA would reverse the Clean Power Plan , hold “ the state of war on ember is over ” .
Next on Bloomberg ’s hitlist is Asia . He says he is already looking for partners .
