America Tells Global Climate Conference That Continuing Coal Use Puts World in Jeopardy
Currently, coal provides more than 35% of the world’s electricity. It was largely responsible for the Industrial revolution and allowed us to generate electricity and mass-produce commodities; In addition, it provided fuel for transport. However, coal is also responsible for a significant percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions. Burning coal produces more than 700 million metric tons of carbon dioxide every year in the United States alone. Using coal as an energy source is also associated with environmental impacts such as acid rain, smog, ground-level ozone and particulate emissions. Speaking at the Bonn Climate Conference, U.S. Envoy on climate change…