Greenwash wash.

An ExxonMobil spoof c/o Avaaz.org.  I still like the “clean” coal ad c/o the Coen Brothers a bit better, but still a worthwhile jab.  I’ve heard a way of thinking about the climate change debate that makes sense to me.  Some of the best aspects of both science and the media are also being inverted to hurt the institutions themselves.

Some of science’s best qualities – its transparency, its democratic consensus, and its humility have been flipped to introduce an overemphasized and heightened sense of confusion, doubt, and hesitation.  Check.  Second, addressing two sides to every story can be a  great framework for “balance”, but it automatically sets this debate as 50% likely, 50% unlikely.  Panelist here, panelist there.  Pro con, yes no, nuit blanche.  You get it.  If the press reflected science, a stickler would expect 95-98 stories exploring climate change science and action and 2-5 stories showcasing skepticism or denial.  This very small/loud 2-5% utilize the very strengths of the scientific method and chorus “If we’re not 100% sure, we shouldn’t invest”.  Being scientifically doubtful and honest is a sign of a good scientific researcher.  However, it’s also what TV pundits and partisan politics devour.  I think it’s true that this is a big part of why the climate debate has primarily stagnated for over a decade.  Impressive but understandable given the backing, and of course proof of what money can buy.

Same goes for evolution.  I won’t rant, same 50/50 not 50/50 debate.  People are working on big things.  Lobbies push for the black and white debate, but same things.  At least you can dig your own holes.

The coal lobby.

Wow, what an impressive machine.  They are fortuitous, you can say at least that.  Their strength in lobbying and PR in the US has shown itself to be very effective, and not at all responsible.

Their PR campaign for “clean coal” makes me laugh but I’m sure people buy it, especially when Obama mentions it.  I was intrigued when I first heard that term so I looked into it – essentially trying to filter/treat some of the contaminants in a more environmentally friendly way.  What’s funny though is these facilities may see some reductions in compounds like sulphur oxides (SOx) and perhaps some VOCs, but they totally miss out on other big contaminants (NOx, CO2, other organic particulate matter which degrades air quality).  Even more hilarious is that these technologies are extremely expensive!  So much money for so little benefit.  When coal accounts for the majority of energy production in the world’s biggest economies (i.e. China and USA), one wonders.  Maybe I should just relax and maybe even sing a song:

About a month ago, 3-5 million cubic yards (the equivalent of 525.2 million gallons, 48 times more than the Exxon Valdez spill by volume) of coal ash sludge broke through a dike of a 40-acre holding pond at TVA’s Kingston coal-fired power plant covering 400 acres up to six feet deep, damaging homes, wrecking a train, and most importantly poisoning the surrounding community with no sign of real aid.  What’s insane is that this toxic ash isn’t even considered toxic according to the EPA!   Yet they tell the community to never let this ash into your home, never let your pets touch it (or drink the water).    So… NOT toxic.  Right.  I know accidents happen, but where’s the accountability?  The power of the coal lobby fully manifests itself in these regulatory circles – they have prevented toxic coal ash from being on the EPA list of contaminants.  ?!??!?!?!?!?!   Even better, the EPA head who acquiesced to the coal industry is now a main advisor for Obama.  Here’s one of the many videos about the spill below:

I’m guessing Obama’s desire for coal is for energy independence and thus national security.  America, you can make nuclear plants.  I’m not saying nuclear is the answer, but I`ll take nuclear over coal any heartbeat of the week.

I could rant forever, and I know my posts are too long to begin with.  So I will sum by saying that I’m glad in Canada we don’t rely on coal nearly as much as our neighbours to the south, even though we still rely on hydrocarbons just like any other nation.    Let’s hope Obama doesn’t weaken his stance on lobbying and buy into the coal PR bullshit…  is that reality ?