I just got back from the Fossil Fools Day demonstration downtown, and I have to say that I was stoked at the amount of attention the Alliance for Planet Earth (C of C’s student-run environmental group) was able to bring to this issue. The TV stations and newspapers were all there, and heard about how Santee Cooper‘s idea to build new coal-fed power plants in SC was a bad one. I agree.
My favorite part of the demonstration was the appeal to people who happen to walk by. Students were asking walkers if they would “like a new coal plant”, while handing them a small flower pot filled with chunks of coal. Enevitibly, each walker would say “No thanks,” and everyone would cheer, “They don’t want a new coal plant!” Good stuff.
I thought Carly Sothoron (rainbow wig) dig an amazing job speaking to the crowd, as did Ian Sanchez and Dr. “other guy” (sorry, I forgot your name…I’m just a blogger!) All in all, a great effort – keep up the good work APE!
Check out all the photos after the jump >>
Loading ...
What was their alternative for the coal plant? The area’s growing energy needs won’t be slowing anytime soon. I think most people would be against a new coal plant polluting the environment, but ask those same people if they would want their energy bills to double by adding a costlier but less environmentally damaging power plant and see what their responses are.
Hey folks,
Great blog and great coverage of fossil fools day in Charleston.
To respond to “cdon” who is concerned with cost, what do you say about the recent 20% inflation in the price of the Pee Dee coal plant? Do you think the price tag is done rising? What about the cost of carbon dioxide (as much as $50 to $400 million annually, over the next 30 years or so) associated with this plant? What about the quadrupling of the price of coal over the past 5 years? What about the health costs associated with all the pollution a coal plant delivers? Who pays? You (and me).
Coal is a poor choice from a financial perspective, as well as an environmental, health and moral perspective.
Here’s just one alternative among many: you may not know that energy efficiency (or doing more with less) costs less than half of what coal costs today (without taking into account the cost dynamics noted above), has no environmental or health impacts, creates more jobs, lowers folks’ bills, and could feasibly cut our energy consumption in SC by 1/5th. Add in a modest amount of renewable energy (biomass, small hydro, some solar, offshore wind), which costs about as much as coal when you account for coal’s real costs, and you can meet all of the state’s demand for energy going forward.
http//:www.cleanenergysc.com
Appreciate the info. Sounds like a plan. I get annoyed at NIMBY types that don’t offer alternatives and I didn’t see or read about any in the protest coverage.
Digg had a timely article on the 6 largest solar power plants currently in planning stages which was pretty interesting. 3 of which were in the US, albeit out West.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4239
I would really love the battle between “activists” & “economists” to end. What will it matter how much money we saved if that “savings” results in our demise? We are on the road to environmental disaster right now & I keep hearing the same argument: “But do you really want to pay what it will cost to change the world?” YES WE DO!! I am a college student with a very minimal income & I pay the “big bucks” for environmentally safe and recycled products. I buy carbon offsets for my car, home, and university. I donate money to organizations that are doing what it takes to get the word out & get it out the right way. And ya know what? I’m doing just fine financially. It CAN be done with a little bit of planning and I AM making a difference, even if it isn’t plainly visible to others. The change we need to see is not going to happen overnight, but if we all make small changes in our everyday lives it can definitely be done. Obviously, big changes need to happen as well (in areas like fossil fuel & renewable resource use, everyday waste we create, etc.) but if big corporations start to see that the public IS willing to make a plan for the highest efficiency possible, they will start to budge and we WILL see changes in a big way. We already are.
I just really hope that groups like Alliance for Planet Earth realize the amazing changes they are making and paving the way for in the future. I hope you all keep up the great work! Thanks a million.
i heat my little flat up with a coal fire and logs, i am not using as much energy as if i were using massive central heating which i cannot afford here in the uk so cannot change i am afraid, have to keep the old bones warm somehow, what should Iburn, books?