2 ms·

> The countries that are moving away from coal are replacing it with natural gas, nuclear or imported energy/materials. Renewables in some cases but only where

> The countries that are moving away from coal are replacing it with natural gas, nuclear or imported energy/materials. Renewables in some cases but only where the country is endowed with natural energy resources and/or is already rich enough to do so. There are valid reasons why this is not immediately possible for India and China if they are to continue developing. Incorrect. This isn't even true if you're talking about Australian states, let alone countries.

tomhoward 7y ago
Sure, let's look at Australian states then. South Australia uses just over 50% renewables [1], thanks to being endowed with natural solar, wind and geothermal resources, but still operates 15 natural gas power stations [2] - exactly as I said in the part of my comment that you chose to quote. Tasmania uses 93% renewables [1] thanks to being endowed with natural hydro and wind resources, but still runs three natural gas power plants [3] - exactly as I said in the part of my comment that you chose to quote. Both states are in a first-world, already-rich and already-developed country, also as per the part of my comment you quoted. And they both have tiny populations. These conditions obviously don't apply throughout India and China. Yes they both use plenty of renewables and continue to expand their renewables investments. And they both use some natural gas but can't use much as they don't have large local gas reserves [4] (particularly relative to their population sizes), and it's costly to ship/pipe in. So, coal it is, however much you and I might wish it to be different. If you have any independent evidence to demonstrate otherwise, I'm keen to learn, so I encourage you to share it. [1] https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/south-australia-hits-50-as-the-march-to-renewables-continues/ https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/south-australia-hits-50-as... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_power_stations_in_South_Australia#Gas_turbine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_power_stations_in_Sout... [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_power_stations_in_Tasmania#Gas https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_power_stations_in_Tasm... [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_natural_gas_proven_reserves https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_natural_g...
- tomlock 7y ago
  Every country is endowed with enough natural renewable resources to service their own needs.

tomhoward 7y ago

Sure, let's look at Australian states then. South Australia uses just over 50% renewables [1], thanks to being endowed with natural solar, wind and geothermal resources, but still operates 15 natural gas power stations [2] - exactly as I said in the part of my comment that you chose to quote. Tasmania uses 93% renewables [1] thanks to being endowed with natural hydro and wind resources, but still runs three natural gas power plants [3] - exactly as I said in the part of my comment that you chose to quote. Both states are in a first-world, already-rich and already-developed country, also as per the part of my comment you quoted. And they both have tiny populations. These conditions obviously don't apply throughout India and China. Yes they both use plenty of renewables and continue to expand their renewables investments. And they both use some natural gas but can't use much as they don't have large local gas reserves [4] (particularly relative to their population sizes), and it's costly to ship/pipe in. So, coal it is, however much you and I might wish it to be different. If you have any independent evidence to demonstrate otherwise, I'm keen to learn, so I encourage you to share it. [1] https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/south-australia-hits-50-as-the-march-to-renewables-continues/ https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/south-australia-hits-50-as... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_power_stations_in_South_Australia#Gas_turbine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_power_stations_in_Sout... [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_power_stations_in_Tasmania#Gas https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_power_stations_in_Tasm... [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_natural_gas_proven_reserves https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_natural_g...

tomlock 7y ago
Every country is endowed with enough natural renewable resources to service their own needs.