'Nothing else here:' Why it's so hard for world to quit coal

The developed countries should lead the way by stopping the use of coal altogether

It’s not true that there’s nothing else. There are enough other former coal regions to watch as an example, which of course had very much struggled , but then finally made a quite successful transition to completely other branches or parts of economy.

If it hard for some countries to stop using coal, then that is a failure of their leadership.

The Industrial Revolution was predicated on the availability of cheap coal, and the infrastructure for burning coal is already in place. Alternatives to coal are in every case much cleaner, but require an initial investment in alternative infrastructure.

Gee, many parts of the world were getting off coal bit by bit, but then some crazy people who want to melt the icecaps came along and got nuclear plants shut down.

There has to be a high-capacity energy source that can be increased or decreased at will regardless of weather or other conditions. Currently, this means nuclear or fossil fuels. Wind, solar, and other sources lack the consistency, capacity, and flexibility to maintain a stable power grid.

And with more electric cars hitting the road, electricity demand is going to skyrocket. Most “electric” cars are effectively going to be coal-powered cars.

It’s not true that there’s nothing else. There are enough other former coal regions to watch as an example, which of course had very much struggled , but then finally made a quite successful transition to completely other branches or parts of economy.

Would you be so kind as to name some of these places? Not trying to be snarky but the former coal mining regions I am aware of are mostly pretty poor now. Not an excuse for the continued use of coal but I am not aware of any nation even big developed ones who have found jobs for former coal miners that pay was well or better than coal mining, leaving communities poor and unable to afford the public services, schools and good shopping they once enjoyed.

Coal is easily available and relatively cheap. The use of advanced technology to facilitate the clean and environmentally friendly use of this plentiful resource must be implemented.

Coal can also be used to power personal and commercial vehicles , saving the planet from burning gasoline and diesel.

We must focus our effort on developing new methods to take advantage of this gift from nature.