The Low-down on Coal - Energy Week

After reading a warning from Architecture2030 published under Coal Will Destroy Us All! at Inhabitat last week, I paid a visit to my local open mine coal pit and snapped this picture. On the horizon, no less than four coal-fired electricity plants: two old, one ancient and one under construction. Also there but almost impossible to see are several wind turbine farms, one located on the man-made hill to the left which is actually the fill from the pit. This is what coal-fired electricity looks like on the surface and beneath that it doesn’t get any prettier.

I’d visited this site before as part of my studies in environmental science and recently attended the ‘Tag der Offenen Tür’ - day of open door - ‘festival’ held to mark power company RWE’s 100 year anniversary of coal mining in the region. Ironically, this region surpasses the US when it comes to protecting the citizens that live here from the harmful effects of industry. Hard to believe but true. I came here after touring Louisiana’s Cancer Alley for two weeks (before Katrina) and the comparison was shocking, still is.

Despite Germany’s more progressive approach to industry, coal mining and coal-fired electricity is down right dirty no matter where it is. Facts from the Energy Information Association (US DOE):

• Coal mining causes severe erosion and leaches toxic chemicals into nearby aquifers and destroys habitats.
• Coal burning produces two-thirds of sulfur dioxide, one-third of carbon dioxide emissions and one-quarter of the nitrogen oxide emissions in the US.
• Coal burning releases fine particles matter into the atmosphere that aggravate asthma, reduce lung function, cause respiratory disease and premature death for thousands of Americans.
• Nitrogen oxide released from coal burning forms smog that causes crop, forest and property damage. Nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide released from coal burning creates acid rain that acidifies soils and water killing plants, fish and animals.
• Coal burning in 2005 produced 7,142.2 Million Metric Tons of CO2.
• Coal-fired power plants produce Mercury, which even in tiny amounts can cause damage to the human nervous system, kidney damage, brain damage and death.
• Coal-fired power plants produce Lead which can cause brain damage, impair growth, damage kidneys and cause learning and behavioral problems.
• Coal-fired power plants produce heavy metals like cadmium and chromium, both known carcinogenics.

Why, as intelligent beings, would we burn coal? Because there is demand for electricity and coal provides a way to do it while turning a profit.

So what is the solution? Make a choice.

You know that nagging feeling that (even though you are recycling and reusing and eating organic) something is just not right? You can’t put your finger on it but you know there is something else you should be doing. Make a choice to consume less electricity. Make a choice to use solar energy. Make a choice to use wind energy. Make a choice to invest in renewable energy. Make a choice to build energy efficient buildings. Stand up and make a choice.

Learn more:

Architecture2030
Coal Will Destroy Us All! at Inhabitat
US Green Building Council