Mississippi residents near this wood pellet facility have more imminent concerns than climate change

As climate change becomes more severe, pressure is mounting on the biggest polluters to clean up their processes. But the world’s largest banks are giving “sustainability-linked loans” (SLLs) that often help companies and banks improve their environmental reputation without cleaning up their practices. These loans can help polluting companies obtain financing as they expand their operations. UK-based wood biomass company Drax has received hundreds of millions in SLLs. In Gloster, Miss., residents living near a Drax wood pellet factory said they have developed shortness of breath or asthma. Some said air pollution made their symptoms so severe that they’ve had to stop working and now require supplemental oxygen to perform daily tasks. Drax says there is no adverse impact to human health from its operations.