Scientists strongly disagree with Australia's coal policy. They warn that the world has little chance of averting the most dire effects of climate change unless its reliance on burning coal for energy is brought to an end. But Australia has an emotional and historical connection to it that continues to shape its politics. Coal burning in Australia is the main source of electricity. In Australia there is an abundant supply of a particular type of coal, lignite, which is notoriously low quality when it comes to an energy source. It is wetter than black coal, which causes additional pollution when burned. Simply put, the more of this coal is burned, the more pollution we emit into the air and the hotter it becomes. This causes a big problem for the environment.
But what is coal?
Coal is a fossil fuel or sedimentary rock extracted from underground or open-pit mines, or produced artificially. The formation of coal dates back to million years ago, when a hot and humid climate and a high concentration of CO2 favored the growth of giant trees and, after their death, favored by floods, a large layer of wood was created, which was not degraded due to the absence of specific yet undeveloped fungi and bacteria, then covered by various layers of other sediments which subjected it to high pressures and the absence of oxygen. This continuous process led to the formation of what we know as fossil coals.
Australia is the world's largest exporter of coal. Additionally, coal mined for domestic use is mostly employed for electricity generation.
Federal and state governments derive significant financial profits from the sale of coal in Australia. They make money by collecting royalties and income taxes on production and sales. These revenues allow us to provide quality essential services that help maintain a high standard of living for all citizens. They also support rural towns, with stable employment provided directly by mining operations and related industries dependent on them.
However, one of the main problems with coal is that mining it results in the emission of methane. Australia has several coal mines currently in operation. The volume of methane they emit is not precisely known, nor is it known whether these emissions are included in official estimates of national emissions. A more serious problem is that when coal burns, it produces carbon dioxide and it is estimated that coal is responsible for 30% of all CO2 emissions in Australia and around the world.
Coal production and combustion are major contributors to global warming and its effects on the climate. In recent years, the correlations between this energy source and the increase in the frequency and severity of meteorological events around the world have been studied. These increases have provoked growing public protests. In particular, young people are on the front lines inviting governments to be more active in action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
There is also a strong denialist current in Australia, never openly opposed by the government, which rejects the correlation between climate change and coal. However, the big problem of the fires at the beginning of the year has intensified the protests and the issue is always current and present.
Damage caused by severe weather events in the past years included prolonged drought and wildfires, floods and heatwaves. This produced record temperatures, not to mention summer weather extended by 5-6 weeks. The effect has been massive loss of habitat and wildlife. Land and livestock have disappeared and will apparently take 3-5 years to replace, provided the destructive events that caused them are not repeated.
The World Wildlife Fund Australia estimates that more than a billion animals have died in the fires. Among these, koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, cockatoos and many other species of birds. The organization said in a statement that several species may be on the brink of extinction.
