Sunday, January 23, 2011

Why are we still investing in coal?

I was reading an article today in the New York Times about how the Midwest United States is still heavily investing in coal. Coal is a major energy source that contributes to major greenhouse gases and pollution. All over the coasts of America, coal production has diminished, yet in the Midwest, the coal industry is booming. According to the article St. Louis just purchased a $4 billion dollar coal plant. Why are we spending billions of dollars on an industry that is declining and hurts the environment? 

I believe these types of purchases are unnecessary. Although these huge plants create jobs and economic growth, solar plants and wind turbine plants also create jobs and spur economic growth over time. All the while these renewable energy sources do not harm the earth! And it's not like in the Midwest the sun doesn't shine and the wind doesn't blow. These coal companies and investors need to realize the ethical business choice is to leave coal behind. It hurts the environment! We need to move on from these pollutant energy sources.

If you are interested, here is the article I was referencing...

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/business/energy-environment/17COAL.html?ref=coal

2 comments:

  1. This comes as a surprise. At first I didn't think much of this. But I noticed the key word, invest. It's one thing that a region of America rely on coal energy, but it's another that the region invest money into the industry. By this I mean, one could continue to buy a product, but to increase funds which go into buying a harmful product is a completely different story. The only explanation I can give is that Americans want results ASAP, thus the allure of clean energy, which take time to make a significant difference, is not quite as appealing to them. I am sure the implications of this go far and beyond what I've discussed here though. Perhaps the transition to clean energy indirectly increases people's bills (momentarily) and some do not want that, ergo they choose coal over anything. (I have little confidence in that argument, more or less that's simply a guess of mine)
    Well Whitney the article was lengthy and informative, but a wonderful read!

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  2. I was under the impression that the coal industry is a dying industry but this has brought to my attention that it in fact is not. You have hit on the ethics issue and incorporated a current events. Keep up the good work!

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