What happens if business is as usual ?

If Coal continues to play a dominant role in India’s energy mix.(to the tune of about 75% - as at present). Coal-based power generation would have to ramp up about 6 times from the present 70,000 MW to nearly 400,000 MW generating about 3,000 billion kWh of electricity and

Coal Reserves –
India’s economically extractable coal reserves will well run out in 30-40 years. Coal mining and production would have to increase from the present 360 million tons to an excess of 2 billion tons - a daunting task, considering India even currently cant meet its coal demands from its own resources and exports.

India’s Coal Emissions –
India may be the lowest per capita emitter, but given its size it has a huge role to play, given 5% of the worlds CO2 emissions from fossil fuels come from India. India’s CO2 emissions would increase to over 5000 million tons, leaving the planet unlivable.

Coal Imports –
The present demand and supply gap is almost touching a high of 12% in India. India is already a net importer of coal – new coal generation would mean more imports which will seriously jeopardize our energy security and economy.

Coal generation takes up a lot of key resources which Even other sectors of economy like housing, industry, infrastructure etc. are competing for a fair share

Water - For every 1 KWH electricity produced, 4 litres of water is required.

Health - Coal is associated with a lot of health problems. Alex Gabbard suggests that coal combustion is more hazardous to health than nuclear power

Local environment - Coal power stations adversely impact the local environment, polluting the fresh water sources, and affecting the yield of agricultural crops.

Land and Forests- Most coal deposits in india are below or close to thick forests New Coal will demand sizable chunk of forests for buildings, coal and ash handling facilities, townships and transmission lines

It is clear that Coal is not a sustainable growth Option. But the Government of India has approved 213 new coal plants in the next 8 years.(Planning Commission). But these haven’t been built yet. We do have alternatives and we can develop in a sustainable way.

We face a crisis and we have to save ourselves from our own activity.
The Earth is not so weak, humans are the ones - who are vulnerable.

The economic, development, security, climate crisis we face today have same roots - and there is a simple solution in stopping fossil fuel use- which will renew our economy, provide opportunities and avert the climate crisis.

But making the switch to renewables is only the end result - we have to make a complete transformation in our thoughts and actions to truly save ourselves - or life will eventually face the consequences

This effort is to find that respect for ourselves and our surroundings and begin with a positive change from ourselves.

Take Action at www.whynewcoal.com