France, Finland, Great Britain and Canada fully refuse from coal
Coal power plant in Hanasaari, Finland
In 2023, France could become the first country in the world to completely abandon coal as a fuel for electricity. After it announced similar plans, Finland, Canada and some other countries. Harmful hydrocarbons should be gradually replaced by alternative sources of energy.
Such progressive plans contrast sharply with the policy, which plans to hold the newly elected US President, Donald Trump does not recognize global climate change basically.
This week plans to implement by 2030 ban on coal burning announced Canada. Environment Minister Catherine McKenna said that the country should aim to increase the share of renewable energy sources from the current 80% to 90%.
From Canada to hear such a statement is more than strange, because this country is ranked fifth in the world in production of energy (6% of world production). It is the world's largest uranium producer, one of the leaders in the production of oil, natural gas and coal. For example, in Alberta, you can dig up coal by 48% across the province - in almost every yard you can dig coal for kindling. Even Alberta promises to abandon coal plants until 2030 (note about coal mining and export stop nobody talks).
Despite the enormous volumes of coal mining, Canada aims to switch to clean energy. From coal refuse completely to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is just one of the planned measures within a large government program climate. Close or translated into another fuel to be about 22 coal-fired power plants in Canada.
Map working and abandoned coal power plants in Canada for 2015.
Source: The Broadbent Institute
The canadian national plan, however, leaves a loophole for local authorities. Provinces have the right not to close the coal plants entirely, if you find a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in another way. For example, introducing the technology of CO2 sequestration into solid minerals.
Related CO2 produced as a result of the recent experiment the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, US Department of Energy
“Taking traditional coal power out of our energy mix and replacing it with cleaner technologies will significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, improve the health of Canadians, and benefit generations for years to come,” McKenna said.
Map nitrogen dioxide emissions.
No less ambitious plans for building in Finland. Complete rejection of coal in 2030 is part of the new energy and climate strategy, which is going to present the Government of Finland. This is not a sharp turn, because the country before actively invested in the development of alternative energy, and the share of coal in electricity generation has been steadily decreasing since 2011. However, by the Government's energy strategy must still approve the Finnish Parliament in March 2017.
In addition to Finland and Canada, the preliminary plans for the phase-out of coal-fired presented France, Britain, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark and other countries. All of them are going to abandon coal for 10-15 years. The UK is already some days power generation from coal plants falls to zero - this was the first time since 1882.
The share of coal in electricity generation UK, from 9 to 13 May 2016.
Bright future?
Certainly, the world is changing before our eyes. Previously developed States was absolutely spit on unrest in some African country - now they are trying to step in and restore order. Previously, the state only thought about economic benefits and used fuel, the most economically feasible - now at the forefront Ecology, calculations on emissions of carbon dioxide and climate modeling to the greenhouse effect. People understand that it is better to bring some sacrifice, to give up too much consumption now, but to save the planet from environmental disaster.
Extreme natural phenomena in 2016, the hottest on record
All this joyful picture darkens the only US president-elect Donald Trump, who said outright that does not believe in global warming. The future US president is looking for ways to get out of the Paris climate agreement - the only real hope for mankind reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and limit the rate of warming of the planet.
The increase in global average temperature above pre-industrial levels. Illustration: Climate Lab Book.
American scientists are now very concerned about the prospects of the activities in the new "anti-scientific" public policy. US threatens not only out of the Paris agreements on climate, but also a reduction in government spending on science, "Trump will be the first president of the anti-scientific in our history - fears Michael Lubell, Director of Public Relations of the American Physical Society. - The consequences can be very, very serious. "
It is hoped that American science and society will be able to go through this period with minimal losses.
Referenced Materials:
- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/france-close-coal-plants-shut-down-2023-global-warming-climate-change-a7422966.html#gallery
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/21/canada-coal-electricity-phase-out-2030
- http://www.pnnl.gov/news/release.aspx?id=4321
- http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/14333-finland-on-its-way-to-become-world-s-first-country-to-ban-coal-use-in-energy-production.html
- https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/13/uk-energy-from-coal-hits-zero-for-first-time-in-over-100-years
- http://www.nature.com/news/donald-trump-s-us-election-win-stuns-scientists-1.20952
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