Fuelling Dissension

Environmentalists in their more optimistic moments describe coal mining as a “sunset industry." But is it really? In the 21st century, New Zealand continues to mine, burn and export coal, despite the fact that, world wide, coal is the single biggest contributor to ocean acidification and to the ongoing climate emergency.Coal has played an important part in New Zealand’s history, but plans for new and expanded coal mines now trigger battles whose long-term outcomes are hard to predict. weaves together the historical, political, social, economic and environmental strands that underlie this struggle between coal mining and conservation. At the same time, the book clearly and concisely explains the basic facts about coal – its formation, chemistry and uses – and provides valuable insights into the coal industry. How should we go about severing our ties with this most polluting of fossil fuels, as we head towards a low carbon future? There are no simple answers. But what we can be s...