Coal use is booming [ark], driven by growing populations demanding ever more consumption, which requires ever more energy. How pathetic that post-modern society, which fashions itself so trendy and enlightened, is forced to rely upon this primitive and dirty fuel. Indeed, “growing coal use threatens nothing less than the end of civilization as we know it.” Clean coal [search] is an untested myth, with even limited trials continually being put off [ark]. In fact, from its production, where whole mountains and their habitat and waters are shredded, to its burning which releases carbon and toxics, coal is a dangerous mess. Apparently humanity views keeping the lights on, as cheaply as possible, as being more important than maintaining a livable planet. And it is killing us.