The Turów Crisis: Economy vs Sustainability

Abstract

The text focus on a sensitive topic within the EU, the crisis around the operation of the Turów coal mine in Poland. The mine is located in the Turószow Spur on the borders of Czechia and Germany. The whole Three-border Region belongs to the economic periphery or semiperiphery, although the particular states have visible economic differences. The mine's operation violates many ecological norms, and its location brings adverse cross-border environmental effects. Polish authorities insist on the mine operation despite foreign complaints and international criticism. They are pretty successful with their diplomacy mixed with ignorance. Polish officials promote economy and energy; meanwhile, the neighboring states and the EU prefer ecologically sustainable development and fair neighbor relations. As human geographers, the authors use various methods: desk research of economic, geographical, political, and ecological sources connected to the Turów Mine and Tree-border Region, analyzing available statistical data, media analysis, survey, and expert interviews. The main focus is on Czech-Polish affairs, but some overlaps are inevitable. The study reveals differences in priorities between Poland and its neigbors, leading to conflicting narratives. Together with economic and developmental asymmetries, they determine the status quo mostly regardless of the environment and related pressure from the EU, promoting the struggle against climate change.