Comments on: On the importance of stopping coal… http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/06/on-the-importance-of-stopping-coal/ The Understory is the official blog of Rainforest Action Network. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:33:44 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: N. Nerode http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/06/on-the-importance-of-stopping-coal/comment-page-1/#comment-131137 N. Nerode Wed, 10 Oct 2007 04:27:17 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/06/on-the-importance-of-stopping-coal/#comment-131137 Sorry. We have to take the ultimatum now. We've already passed the first "tipping point", the one which leads to mass extinctions and major sea level rise. We have to push back very very very fast; at this point every CO2 molecule emitted is another fraction of sea level rise, and every such fraction has *huge*, disastrous cost. We can't afford to pass the second one, which could lead to the extinction of the human race. See: http://astrobio.net/news/modules.php?op=modload&name=News &file=article&sid=2429&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=00037A5D- A938-150E-A93883414B7F0000&sc=I100322 http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2003/prPennStateKump.htm Sorry. We have to take the ultimatum now.

We’ve already passed the first “tipping point”, the one which leads to mass extinctions and major sea level rise. We have to push back very very very fast; at this point every CO2 molecule emitted is another fraction of sea level rise, and every such fraction has *huge*, disastrous cost.

We can’t afford to pass the second one, which could lead to the extinction of the human race.
See:
http://astrobio.net/news/modules.php?op=modload&name=News
&file=article&sid=2429&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=00037A5D-
A938-150E-A93883414B7F0000&sc=I100322

http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2003/prPennStateKump.htm

]]> By: Jeremy http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/06/on-the-importance-of-stopping-coal/comment-page-1/#comment-123187 Jeremy Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:57:19 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/06/on-the-importance-of-stopping-coal/#comment-123187 If a person is really concerned about the families and communities in these areas that are "ravaged" by coal mining, the he/she would definitely have thought through the consequences an abrupt hault would have on the economy and welfare of people in these communities. Are you going to pay these people's mortage? Will you provide food for their families? Where will money for their medical bills come from? I'm sure all of these issues have been addressed and a plan that calls for job transgression to a cleaner, safer way of providing energy has been awaiting implementation. I agree that extracting coal probably isn't the cleanest way to provide energy for our country. But until a way to produce energy is found that: 1) provides stable jobs for miners who have lost their source of income. 2) is more economically feasible on the country as a whole. 3) and is actually cleaner & safer, our nation's leaders must stay the course and continue searching for answers to a more viable solution. Radical changes in the way our country provides its electricity is not the answer. Our nation can't be forced into an ultimatum on an issue that effects so many apsects of so many people's lives. If a person is really concerned about the families and communities in these areas that are “ravaged” by coal mining, the he/she would definitely have thought through the consequences an abrupt hault would have on the economy and welfare of people in these communities. Are you going to pay these people’s mortage? Will you provide food for their families? Where will money for their medical bills come from? I’m sure all of these issues have been addressed and a plan that calls for job transgression to a cleaner, safer way of providing energy has been awaiting implementation.

I agree that extracting coal probably isn’t the cleanest way to provide energy for our country. But until a way to produce energy is found that: 1) provides stable jobs for miners who have lost their source of income. 2) is more economically feasible on the country as a whole. 3) and is actually cleaner & safer, our nation’s leaders must stay the course and continue searching for answers to a more viable solution.

Radical changes in the way our country provides its electricity is not the answer. Our nation can’t be forced into an ultimatum on an issue that effects so many apsects of so many people’s lives.

]]> By: Japhet http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/06/on-the-importance-of-stopping-coal/comment-page-1/#comment-122606 Japhet Tue, 11 Sep 2007 03:00:08 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/06/on-the-importance-of-stopping-coal/#comment-122606 Just called mine...although mine tend to be super against coal and anything that may increase the threat of global warming. Whats continually disturbing about this debate around coal is the lack of discussion highlighting the dangers of extraction (yet another mine catastrophe last month and people are still saying mining is safe?) not to mention the environmental destruction blowing up mountains and plowing under riverbeds does to communities and families. Its more than just air pollution. Just called mine…although mine tend to be super against coal and anything that may increase the threat of global warming. Whats continually disturbing about this debate around coal is the lack of discussion highlighting the dangers of extraction (yet another mine catastrophe last month and people are still saying mining is safe?) not to mention the environmental destruction blowing up mountains and plowing under riverbeds does to communities and families. Its more than just air pollution.

]]> By: Nick http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/06/on-the-importance-of-stopping-coal/comment-page-1/#comment-122272 Nick Sun, 09 Sep 2007 14:54:26 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/06/on-the-importance-of-stopping-coal/#comment-122272 I urge everyone who reads this post to call their Senators and their Representative in Congress, and ask them to support a moratorium on new coal plants, without delay. That is what I am going to do. I urge everyone who reads this post to call their Senators and their Representative in Congress, and ask them to support a moratorium on new coal plants, without delay. That is what I am going to do.

]]> By: jake http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/06/on-the-importance-of-stopping-coal/comment-page-1/#comment-122067 jake Sat, 08 Sep 2007 17:58:47 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/06/on-the-importance-of-stopping-coal/#comment-122067 I am sure I understand the message you handing out. Are you trying to educate consumer responsibility by congradulating corporations and government agencies for their step-up efforts to reduce cataclysmic climate change? From my point of view the movement against coal interwoven to anti-captialism and anti-oppression. It doesnt matter what Wal-Mart or Home Depot or even California their structure nurtures colonialism and authoritarian power. I am sure I understand the message you handing out. Are you trying to educate consumer responsibility by congradulating corporations and government agencies for their step-up efforts to reduce cataclysmic climate change? From my point of view the movement against coal interwoven to anti-captialism and anti-oppression. It doesnt matter what Wal-Mart or Home Depot or even California their structure nurtures colonialism and authoritarian power.

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