Had the writer sought to research the article more extensively than speaking to one anti-coal campaigner, she may have learned that:
- Global coal consumption is forecast to rise 60 percent over the next 20 years (IEA, US Dept Energy, World Coal Institute).
- Sixty percent of Queensland's coal exports are metallurgical coals used for steelmaking, for which the only substitute is large volumes of electricity.
- Australia's coal exports represent around 5 percent of the world's annual coal consumption.
- Australia's black coal industry is contributing $AU1 billion (approximately US$827 million) to the commercialisation of CCS technologies (Carbon Capture Storage) in Australia.
- The Australian coal industry does not own power stations—most are owned by Australian taxpayers.
- If countries were called to account for their exported emission sources, Australia could virtually eliminate liquid fuels from its GHG (Greenhouse Gas) accounts, as more than 80 percent is imported.
The reality is that with IEA forecasts pointing to a doubling of demand for electricity by 2030, every available source is going to be called into action.
With up to 900 billion tonnes available in some 70 countries, coal is still going to be used, particularly in developing economies where it is their most tangible form of energy security.
Jim Devine
Queensland Resources Council
Brisbane, Australia
LINK to article: www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/21010/
