This Is Reality

We all heard it during the Presidential Campaign, but the mere statement "Clean Coal Technology" mystified me. Every time I think of coal, I think of a picture of Elinor Roosevelt visiting the coal mines of West Virginia. How on earth can coal be clean? In what context? In what world?

Now, reality has set in and my suspensions are correct:

In reality, there is no such thing as "clean" coal in America today. Coal cannot be called 'clean' until its CO2 emissions are captured and stored safely.

Let's be clear: there are no US homes, factories, shopping centers or churches powered by coal plants that capture and store their global warming pollution.

Today, coal power plants emit carbon dioxide (CO2), the pollutant causing the climate crisis. A third of the America's carbon pollution now comes from about 600 coal-fired power plants. And of the more than 70 proposed new coal power plants, barely a handful have plans to capture and store their CO2 emissions. If these dirty plants are allowed to be built, this will mean an additional 200 million tons of global warming pollution will be emitted in America each year. Until coal power plants no longer release CO2 to the atmosphere, coal will remain a major contributor to the climate crisis.

Scientists indicate that we can avoid the worst climate impacts if we turn CO2 emissions around in the next few years. The Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, in 2007, said, "If there's no action before 2012, that's too late. What we do in the next two to three years will determine our future. This is the defining moment." For coal to maintain a role in America's energy mix, the industry must act quickly to stop emitting CO2.

The Reality Coalition is a project of the Alliance for Climate Protection, Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the League of Conservation Voters, and tells the truth about coal today — it isn't clean. We are challenging the coal industry to come clean — in its advertising and in its operations. You can learn more about the reality of "clean" coal here or take action and help stop misleading coal campaigns.

— The Reality Campaign Website —

As Oil Prices Dip ...

OPEC has told its members to strictly limit their production to agreed quotas as Brent crude dipped below $100 a barrel for the first time since April.

After talks in Vienna, Opec president Chakib Khelil said the measures to curb over-production amounted to a cut of 520,000 barrels a day within 40 days.

— Full Story

We've got to find other ways to power our lives. This controlled yo-yo by OPEC is not in our interest.

Greensburg

On May 4, 2007, a deadly tornado struck Greensburg, Kansas, ripping the town to shreds. Still, the spirit of the citizens of Greensburg are what make the journey most inspirational, as they are ordinary, everyday people of great character who choose to face adversity head on and create a better life for themselves and...

I have been watching this show, produced by Leonardo DiCaprio since it started in June. The 13-week mini-series follows the re-building of  Greensburg, KS after a deadly tornado ripped through town. 

After a lot of consideration, the city council, mayor and city manager decided to rebuild the city as a model for a "Green Future."

It has been very interesting how the people have coped with their dilemma and how their plight reflects the future of all us in US. It sheds light on the problems all of us currently have with building/remodeling green, power solutions and the costs of doing things a different way, but a way that will sustain them for years to come.

You can see Greensburg, the mini-series, on Planet Green at 9:00pm, Sunday nights. If you have DirecTV, the channel is  286.  There are also additional "Webisodes" on their website (click title above).