Knowledge is a powerful tool to have in your arsenal. I have been doing some research about coal and various industry lobby groups that I often write about, who say one thing, but do another, in reference to climate change. As you have probably read, the coal and mining industry have an active front of these type of organisations, that lobby our politicians into inaction regarding climate change. One of these is the Queensland Resources Council, who are a not-for-profit peak industry association, as is the Australian Coal Association who quite blatantly are trying to push Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology down the public’s throat as a solution to reducing carbon emissions. I am sorry fellows, I don’t think you are quite right.
They are two of the driving forces behind the New Gen Coal campaign. Maybe they simply believe that if we give coal a fancy new name, all the problems associated with it go away. I suppose it is better than the American campaign of Clean Coal!
So to better help everyone understand just exactly what sort of propaganda machine these lobby groups have, I have included this link that demonstrates the potential technology of CCS. Better to understand than to dismiss, I believe.
A Low Emission Energy Future from QRC on Vimeo.
The renewable energy capacity in these countries are expanding rapidly, with government assistance. Even China, although the largest emitter, are rapidly taking up renewables because they see the massive profit that can be made and are also feeling the pinch of a changing climate. Most of their water supply comes from two rivers that are fed by melting glaciers in the Himalayas. Once completely melted, China and many other Asian nations face a very dry future.
Coal fired electricity will (unfortunately) be with us for a while longer, just like the video mentions, but I hope for its rapid demise by 2020. Otherwise, I will see catastrophic climate change in my lifetime.
A sobering thought indeed.
As usuaul, a great post. I tried watching the video but it didn’t play, somehow I must have done something wrong. Typical.
It’s people like you who should have been at the sorry thing we called Copenhagen, more of the everday person and less of the big corporations.
I don’t think your Wartime comparisons are a low blow. History has proven that regime to be evil. Perhaps, one day history will prove the coal interests to be just as evil. Are they not deliberately creating a path that they know will lead to disaster but they will still do it because they believe in their cause. Millions died as a result of WW2 and if we are not careful, millions will die as a result of climate change.
As long as the economy is put before climate change our Government will be seen to be trying to do something, while accomplishing absolutely nothing. That is the real evil.
Thanks Nevyn. My sentiments exactly. History may have something bad to say about the behaviours of these types of industries in the distant future. Gav