This is probably not the celebration Kool and the Gang had in mind when they wrote their hit song "Celebration."
But its America's overabundance and over-reliance on the dirtiest form of electrical generation that has one industry front group celebrating.
Check out this website run by an organization called the "Americans for Balanced Energy Choices (ABEC), and in particular their "50% TV Spot" video. Apparently we should all be celebrating the fact that the United States generates 50% of its electricity from coal and there's enough still in the ground to last another 200 years!
Now Kool and the Gang might not be to keen on all this - coal-fired electrical generation remains the dirtiest and most green house gas intensive form of energy.
I'm more inclined to think that those most likely to celebrate this are the 27 coal-based electrical providers listed as supporters on the ABEC website.
Democracy is utterly dependent upon an electorate that is accurately informed. In promoting climate change denial (and often denying their responsibility for doing so) industry has done more than endanger the environment. It has undermined democracy.
There is a vast difference between putting forth a point of view, honestly held, and intentionally sowing the seeds of confusion. Free speech does not include the right to deceive. Deception is not a point of view. And the right to disagree does not include a right to intentionally subvert the public awareness.
This post is the second of a two part series. Read the first installment, Unreported Emissions From Natural Gas Blow Up BC's Climate Action Plan.
Methane leaks from British Columbia's natural gas industry are likely at least 7 times greater than official numbers increasing the entire provinces' carbon footprint by nearly 25%. That's like putting 3 million more vehicles on BC's roads.
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One word
Scary
distasteful
Their name choice is pretty shameless -- Americans for Balanced Energy Choices -- I know I would be pretty ticked if a private entity thought it could appropriate the name of my citizenship to promote their own cause. I'd be pissed even if desmogblog called itself Canadians ... or even Vancouverites ....
wa-hoo!
"It's time... to broil together...
It's up to you, what's your pleasure...?"
YEAH! COAL! ALRIGHT! OUR WAY OF LIFE! RIGHT ON!
Celebration?
The only thing these guys are celebrating are profits.
Short term gain for long term pain.