What can we do to get our elected officials to work towards a moratorium on coal.?

Question

It is provent that coal is the leading contributor to global warming. If we continue its use our nation is at risk. Consider that at the current pace we will lose a huge percentage of costal towns including, Tampa, Atlantic City, New Orleans, New York, Boston. These towns will be under water in our lifetime. People worry about what stopping coal will do to our economy. Consider what the consequences of not doing anything will do. Something's got to be done. We've got only 7 years left to make the change. Spread this message.

Answer 1

Coal is currently the lowest cost energy option, by far. We need to start pouring money into research of alternative technologies. If billions of dollars would be put into electric car technology, electric cars could become the lowest cost option compared to gas powered cars. More people would buy the electric cars, and our smog, acid rain and CO2 issues would be essentially eliminated.

In conjunction, Integrated Coal Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) plants, which emit less than a fraction of CO2 compared to typical coal boilers, should be funded by significant federal grants and tax breaks to spur construction across the U.S. If these IGCC plants replaced the outdated, inefficient coal-fired boilers that currently produce most of the electricity today, CO2 emissions would reduce to a fraction.

If we do these two things alone, CO2 emissions would reduce substantially in the U.S. within the next 15 years, to a fraction of what it is now. The other benefit is the phasing out of oil use in the U.S., which would keep us out of the Middle East.

Why don't we implement this apparent win-win scenario? Call your Congressman to find out!

Answer 2

It would be HIGHLY irresponsible to stop using coal without first finding alternatives. Coal is used for electricity generation, heating and steel manufacturing. China is increasing up it's use of coal VERY fast for these uses. The economy would be totally destroyed if we suddenly banned coal without having any alternative, causing MUCH more death and destruction that global warming EVER could. I am talking about massive unemployment, loss of medical benefits and tax revenue; schools and hospitals closing for lack of money. A total melt down of the ecconomy.

Answer 3

I AM FROM A COAL MINING PLACE !!!!

And I happen to also be an engineer in renewable energies.

Coal does harm the local economy since it has historically created a strong local industry with a lot of jobs which are not very qualified. In turn, reconverting such regions to new indutries and services is extremely difficult and expensive.
Coal mining regions completely failed at diversifying their activities and economic sectors. They generally do not create as many new jobs and are not dynamic.

Just look at the coal producing regions in the world to see how hard they have been hit by the numerous economic crisis.

Holding to coal is locally a bad decisions as it makes the switch out of the coal and heavy industry dominated economy harder.

Answer 4

Gvmt can help promote the Nuclear Power industry be preventing bogus lawsuits that add costs to building these generators.

Gvmt can also end the monopoly protections of power corporations and let people purchase power from clean burning generators, instead of being forced to buy power from where ever is closest.

Answer 5

Learn to think for yourself rather than listening to the kooks and chicken little's. Where is all this water going to come from? Do a little study before making a fool of yourself.

Answer 6

Seven years is based on what? Stop being such a sheep, hippy.

Answer 7

keep your big mouth shut