Cooking the Climate With Coal

Recognizing limited energy supplies, the world turns to coal for fuel. Coal meets about half of US energy needs, about 70 percent for China. Anticipating strict regulatory limits, countries like the US have stepped up coal mining and construction of coal-burning power plants. But Author Jeff Goodell suggests that relying on coal is dangerous, from mining accidents to air and ground pollution. More so than other energy sources, coal releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. About one quarter of all carbon dioxide emissions come from coal-burning plants, reports Goodell. Projected construction of coal plants over the next 24 years could end up releasing more carbon dioxide emissions than what were released over the past 250 years. Opposing extra costs, industry leaders also resist new technology that converts coal into a synthetic gas, limiting emissions. Widespread public resistance to higher electricity prices only speeds depletion of resources and delays innovation, even while costs associated with pollution and global warming could be enormous. – YaleGlobal