The Carmichael, the biggest coal mine that is currently being developed in Australia, is being bombarded by criticism from concerned Aussies who refuse to have the Great Barrier Reef be contaminated even further by unsustainable energy projects. This criticism stems from recently released satellite pictures of wetlands nearby the construction-site that are clearly blackened by coal dust allegedly from ongoing developments of the coal mine.
One of Australia's national shames 😢@cathywilcox1 #coal #renewables #adani #auspol pic.twitter.com/gHQZs3kC0j
— Lee-Anne Walker (@Lee_AnneWalker) April 15, 2017
These alarming recent developments half-way across the world have people in the United States questioning the role of #coal in today’s world. And on Twitter, the discussion has already set off. Once again, Americans are forced to ask themselves, what is coal’s place in their country?
Some individuals, especially those from “Coal Country” states, are reminding others on Twitter about coal’s role in proudly building the United States.
#coal built America, and coal #jobs support hundreds of families in our country today. Thanks @POTUS for supporting reliable #CoalPower!
— America's Power (@AmericasPower) March 7, 2017
They, like this pro-coal group from Kentucky, are also urging others to proactively reach out to their representatives to maintain coal’s status in the country.
It's critical for our elected officials to understand the significance coal plays in powering our economy. #Coal pic.twitter.com/urpF3K0QlR
— Friends of Coal-KY (@FriendsofCoalKY) April 25, 2016
On the opposite end of the conversation however, some are trying to convince Twitter users the reality of the coal industry’s declining power.
#Coal is a shrinking industry and will not rebound. Here's why: https://t.co/hU1HKMoXNY pic.twitter.com/eIW8n2mR45
— Carbon Tracker (@CarbonBubble) April 13, 2017
And also pointing the hypocrisy of coal supporters in both their environmental and political stances. As seen here in a tweet posted by ABC’s political producer, Allan Margolin.
NYT's @paulkrugman asks: How come ONLY #coal jobs matter to Trump & GOP? https://t.co/Expn3BKKKp via @nytimes @tkdmike @brontyman @NNUS pic.twitter.com/CuSyARG3gR
— Allan Margolin (@AllanMargolin) April 17, 2017
With the nation’s increasingly polarized political undercurrent, it doesn’t seem like the debate on #coal will end soon. However, a recent development in Kentucky, the same state where the pro-coal group quoted above hails from, may foreshadow this issue’s future.
The Kentucky #Coal Mining Museum is making the switch to solar power. Wait, what? https://t.co/OgAZ4yRDQ6
— Climate Reality (@ClimateReality) April 17, 2017