Since 1973, coal consumption has grown faster than any other form of energy. Growth in coal consumption has been critical in providing electricity access in developing countries. Based on the results of three different estimates, this paper finds that between 1990 and 2010, about 830 million people—the vast majority in developing countries—gained access to electricity due to coal-fired generation. Coal-fired-generation capacity continues to grow in wealthy countries, too. For electricity production, no other energy source can currently match the black fuel when it comes to cost, scale, and reliability. In all, more than 500 gigawatts of new coal-fired capacity will likely be built worldwide by 2040. --Robert Bryce, Manhattan Institute, October 2014
U.N. calls to curb greenhouse gas emissions by ending most electricity generation using coal will face some tough challenges, with coal mining going through a growth spurt in countries such as Australia. Although coal is blamed for contributing to climate change and causing large amounts of harmful pollution, it remains by far the most important fuel for power generation at a global share of around 40 percent. The size of the challenge is reflected in forecasts for energy demand growth across Asia, where coal is the fuel of choice and expected to meet almost 60 percent of demand growth over the next 20 years, according to Roche. --James Regan, Reuters, 3 November 2014
The IPCC synthesis report doesn’t say anything new. We’ve heard this for the last 20 odd years. This is the 5th report by the IPCC and it doesn’t change the underlying problem of the international community to come to a binding climate agreement. So this is nothing new and it’s unlikely to change the UN deadlock. – Benny Peiser, BBC News 24, 2 November 2014
The “synthesis report” of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, published yesterday, warns of an increased “likelihood” of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts if emissions continue. But when you cut through the spin, the IPCC is actually saying that there is a range of possibilities, from no net harm at all through two middling scenarios to one where gathering harm from mid-century onwards culminates in potentially dire consequences by 2100. We are being asked to make sacrifices today to prevent the possibility of what may turn out to be pretty small harm to very wealthy people in the future. --Matt Ridley, The Times, 3 November 2014
Here’s what I believe. There is nothing more pressing in our time than confronting and solving the climate crisis. We have no time to spare. We must act now. Luckily, we have all the tools we need to solve this challenge. All we need is political will—but political will is a renewable resource! That’s why the election on November 4th is so monumentally important. President Obama is now leading on this issue—but we need to elect more Democrats dedicated to putting the future of our planet before the interests of Big Oil and Coal and other large carbon polluters who demand the right to use our atmosphere as an open sewer without any accountability. --Al Gore, The Weekly Standard, 1 November 2014
The chairman of the U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) said in a statement that he appreciates efforts “to better understand the complex science of our ever-changing planet,” but adds that the new IPCC report “says nothing new.” “Similar to previous reports, the latest findings appear more political than scientific,” he said. “People are tired of the re-packaged rhetoric. It’s time to stop fear mongering and focus on an honest dialogue about real options.” Smith said it appears that the U.N. is “once more attempting to provide cover for costly new regulations and energy rationing.”--Kyle Balluck, The Hill, 2 November 2014
