4 astonishing signs of coal’s declining economic viability

There has been no more dramatic story in the world of energy over the last 20 years than the rise and fall of coal. 

Going, going .................

In the early 2000s, coal fueled China’s rapid growth. From 2000 to 2013, coal consumption in the country grew at a ludicrous pace of 12 percent a year on average, from 1.36 billion tons annually to 4.24 billion. For a while, China was burning over half of global coal output. Coal producers across the world flourished and many believed the “economic miracle” would go on forever. 

It didn’t. In the early 2010s, China’s manufacturing-driven boom began slowing, cheap fracked gas took off the in the US, the world woke up to climate change, and renewable energy began its unstoppable march down the cost curve.

The result has been an extraordinary reversal of fortunes for coal at a time when it’s clearer than ever that we must stop using fossil fuels as soon as possible.

Read the Vox story by David Roberts - “4 astonishing signs of coal’s declining economic viability.”

How could degrowth tackle environmental issues and social inequities?

The “degrowth” movement has recently picked up traction among academics and activists by advocating substantial cuts to production and consumption to address existing environmental issues and social inequities.

Author of "Housing for Degrowth" Associate Professor Anitra
Nelson from the RMIT Centre for Urban Research. 

After nearly two months launching her new book in 21 cities across Europe, Associate Professor Anitra Nelson is back in Melbourne to explain how degrowth could work in Australia and to launch Housing for Degrowth as part of the 2019 National Sustainable Living Festival.

What exactly is “degrowth” and a degrowth approach to future sustainability?

The degrowth movement critiques market societies, where the dynamic of growth is essential to the way economies operate but results in substantial global environmental destruction, including dangerous levels of carbon emissions and climate change.

In response, degrowth advocates call for reductions in both production and consumption, i.e. diminished energy and material flows through our society. Such reduction is a common aim of all who aspire to planetary sustainability.

The degrowth approach is distinct because we focus on growth as a cultural, economic, political and social imperative of market societies and, therefore, the need for a holistic program to achieve degrowth.

Read the story from RMIT University by Anitra Nelson - “How could degrowth tackle environmental issues and social inequities?”

Veganism as a Strategy for Sustainability

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in plant-based diets, including veganism, vegetarianism, and other lifestyle changes that involve a reduction in the consumption of animal products (Baum & Whiteman, 2017). These dietary changes have been proposed as a solution to multiple human health, environmental, and moral issues (Rossi & Garner, 2013, p. 1). This paper explores a subset of these issues utilizing an interdisciplinary approach.

“Herd of black cattle graze in a foggy farm field.” 

Part 1 provides an overview of the environmental impacts of agriculture and the environmental benefits associated with transitions to plant-based diets. This is followed by an examination of veganism as a moral philosophy and how veganism can act as a strategy for sustainability in Part 2. Altogether, this essay presents a compelling case for not only reducing animal product consumption, but adopting veganism as both a social justice philosophy and a powerful strategy for sustainability. Importantly, this research is primarily relevant for developed countries in the western world. While the science and philosophy discussed here may have implications for developing nations, it is beyond the scope of this paper to thoroughly explore the issue of veganism and plant-based diets in the context of developing nations.

Read the Medium story by Evan Parker - “Veganism as a Strategy for Sustainability.”

World Coal Production Just Had Its Biggest Drop on Record

It’s the end of an era for coal.

Production of the fossil fuel dropped by a record amount in 2016, according to BP Plc’s annual review of global energy trends. China, the world’s biggest energy consumer, burned the least coal in six years and use dropped in the U.S to a level last seen in the 1970s, the company’s data show.

Coal, the most polluting fuel that was once the world’s fastest growing energy source, has been a target of countries and companies alike as the world begins to work toward the goals of the Paris climate agreement. Consumption is falling as the world’s biggest energy companies promote cleaner-burning natural gas, China’s economy evolves to focus more on services than heavy manufacturing and renewable energy like wind and solar becomes cheaper.

Read the Bloomberg Markets story - “World Coal Production Just Had Its Biggest Drop on Record.”

Endless economic growth and sustainability not compatible

C

an Australians be sustainable and enjoy endless economic growth? It’s not likely.

Professor Mark
Diesendorf.

In a recent article on The Conversation, Steve Hatfield-Dodds argued that sustainability was possible in Australia without sacrificing economic growth.

He also argued the necessary policy changes would not require fundamental changes to Australians' values. This research was based on a detailed paper in Nature and modelling undertaken for CSIRO’s recent National Outlook Report.

Contrary to this pro-growth outlook, I will argue that sustainability would be almost impossible to achieve in practice without ending growth in population and consumption per person.

Read the thoughts of Associate Professor Mark Diesendorf, of the University of New South Wales, published on The Conversation - “We can achieve sustainability – but not without limiting growth.”

Prof Diesendorf is known to some in the Goulburn Valley as he spoke at a Slap Tomorrow energy forum in Mooroopna last year.

Hang your head Australia, you are among the worst emitters with the highest per capita coal consumption

A

ustralia is among the worst emitters of carbon dioxide in the world with the highest coal consumption per capita than any other country on earth.

The Climate Council says, “The Green Innovation Index: International Edition, put together by Next 10, analyses and ranks the economic and energy performance of the world’s 50 largest economies, including Australia”.

“The report ranks Australia 45th out of 50 for per capita emissions, only marginally better than gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

“It also finds that Australia’s total energy consumption is higher than France, Italy and California despite having a smaller population. And the hits just keep on coming, with Australia also ranked among the worst for energy use (43rd) per capita and electricity use (45th) per capita,” the report says.

Read the Climate Council story - “New report reveals that Australia is among the worst emitters in the world”.

Burgeoning population and reckless consumption in pictures

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urgeoning population combined with reckless consumption, particularly of carbon-rich products, are among the root causes of climate change.

In an effort to illustrate what we, humans, are doing to their home, The Guardian looks through the lens at how we are living and within that changing the earth.

Have a look at these amazing views - “Overpopulation, overconsumption – in pictures”.

Economic growth is key cause of global warming



Economic growth is
worsening global warming.

The idea that we should work fewer hours each day to reduce consumption and by implication slow growth fits perfectly with implications arising from a University of Michigan study.

A story published in ScienceDaily, headed: “GlobalWarming: New Research Blames Economic Growth” tells how the much celebrated achievement of growth is the primary reason for erosion of the atmosphere the humans prefer.

The report begins: “It's a message no one wants to hear: To slow down global warming, we'll either have to put the brakes on economic growth or transform the way the world's economies work. That's the implication of an innovative University of Michigan study examining the most likely causes of global warming.”

Read more about reduced working hours on the Four-Hour Work Day blog.