COAL IS THE ISSUE

Climate outcome ‘hangs on coal’
Jonathan Amos, 18 December 2008 (BBC News)

“If growth in carbon dioxide emissions is to be constrained and even reversed then the world cannot afford a coal renaissance, scientists have said…It was even possible oil's demise could trigger an acceleration in emissions through more coal use…

“[A Carnegie Institution at Stanford University] assessment found that if coal-derived liquids are adopted, the Earth would achieve a 2C rise in temperature from pre-industrial times (a figure sometimes quoted as being a desirable ceiling to stay beneath in order to avoid "dangerous climate change") by 2042. This is three years faster than a business as usual future with oil."

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“If the renewables strategy is adopted, the 2C figure is not reached until 2056…

“…[R]ecent research from the US, UK and France looking at the feasibility of not only constraining the growth of CO2 emissions but actually reducing its concentration in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million by volume (it is currently up at about 385ppmv)…found it was possible, but only with a prompt moratorium on new coal use that does not capture CO2, and a phase out of existing coal emissions by 2030.

“Reforestation together with improved agricultural practices could help draw down CO2…”