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Investing in coal is not a solution to global warming

-- Anthony -- 07/02/2007

The Washington Post reported today that "the coal mining companies, which for years have been branded the bad guys of global warming, are fighting back."

The article discussed how members of the coal mining industry have branded carbon emission-reducing corporations like Caterpillar, General Electric and Johnson & Johnson as "un-American" for befriending environmental groups, which they view as "enemies of coal." Chief Executive Steven Leer of Arch Coal argues: "If we want to address climate concerns, we need to invest more heavily in coal-not less."

It is not surprising that the coal industry would want more investment in and attention directed towards the opportunities coal presents. However, scientific advancements and technological innovations have shown that we can solve global warming - and achieve energy independence - by moving away from fossil fuels such as coal and instead promote clean, alternative energy sources.

The continued investment in renewable energy technologies will further challenge American creativity and ingenuity to produce the most efficient energy technology, which will create millions of new jobs as well as improve the international economy and the global environment.

The branding of American corporations taking global warming seriously as "un-American" underscores the need to raise the debate on global warming and make it a priority issue in the 2008 presidential nomination process.