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The coal paradox: we’re damned if we do, damned if we don’t
The true impact of coal is yet to reveal itself
Continuing to burn coal for energy will lock in changes to the climate that could lead to catastrophe. If we stop burning coal it will reveal the true impacts of the climate crisis. This feels like a paradox. How can it be bad to continue to burn coal, but also bad to stop?
Coal is the dirtiest of fossil fuels. The Navajo Power Station in Arizona, due to close later in the year, emitted 135 million tonnes of carbon dioxide between 2010 and 2017. That’s the equivalent of 3.3 million cars per year. This is one of many coal power stations closing in the US. This is a welcome change.
Yet, coal has a dirty secret. When we burn coal CO2 isn’t the only substance released. Sulphur Dioxide is also emitted. Sulphur Dioxide has a peculiar effect in the atmosphere masking coals true impacts.
The coal paradox highlights the challenges we face if we are to prevent the worst impacts of a changing climate. The longer we continue to burn dirty fuels the harder the challenge becomes.
We’re damned if we burn coal
If coal is such a dirty fuel why do we continue to burn it? Simple. It’s cheap and abundant. For energy-hungry countries like…
