The End of Coal: Why We Must Let It Die - 15rock

Introduction

It's time to say goodbye to coal! 💔 This outdated energy source is responsible for a disproportionate share of global CO2 emissions and a host of other serious problems for human health and the environment. Plus, it's extremely inefficient and costly. To save the world trillions of dollars and achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, we must move on from coal and switch to renewable energy sources. Don't be fooled by the "clean coal" myth - it's just greenwashing! Let's make the switch now and save our planet. 🌎

Coal has been a major source of energy production for centuries, but it is nearing the end of its useful life. It is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, accounting for a significant portion of CO2 emissions, and is associated with a number of dangerous health and environmental issues. Furthermore, it is inefficient and expensive, and it is running out. To meet the Paris Agreement's goals and save the world trillions of dollars, we must let coal die and transition to renewable energy sources.

The Hazards of Coal

When coal is burned, it emits a variety of hazardous substances, ranging from sulphur to nitrogen oxides. These substances are extremely hazardous and have been strongly linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as an increased risk of death. To top it all off, coal-fired energy poses a high risk of fostering mercury poisoning, harming both people and the environment.

The Coal Inefficiency

To produce a single unit of energy, coal must burn 1.12 pounds of coal, an absurdly high amount that outperforms all alternatives. This necessarily implies that producing energy with coal is far more expensive and emits far more CO2 than its alternatives.

The End of Coal According to climate analytics research, we must completely phase out coal use by 2040 at the very least if we are to meet the Paris Agreement goals. Major coal companies in the United States have declared bankruptcy at least once during their existence, and the coal industry is aware that it is dying. According to the IMF, switching to renewable energy production instead of coal could save the world $78 trillion over the next few decades.

The Myth of Clean Coal

Some coal companies have begun to claim that their energy production is powered by "clean coal," which emits far less carbon monoxide than conventional coal-powered energy production. No, it does not. The use of the term "clean" was just another attempt at greenwashing. Clean coal has consistently failed to deliver its ostensibly "clean" results.

Conclusion

To meet the Paris Agreement's goals and save the world trillions of dollars, we must let coal die and transition to renewable energy sources. There are no financial or technical incentives to continue down the coal path. Waiting any longer to complete the switch serves very narrow interests and will cause additional harm in our fight against climate change. That is why we must let coal die.