coal

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Adopt-A-Topic (2nd phase)

Gtm, ( 1 Jun, 2020) How Should California Wind Down Its Fossil Fuel Industry?. Retrieved November 17, 2020, from https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/how-should-california-wind-down-its-fossil-fuel-industry (Links to an external site.). The article “How Should California Wind Down Its Fossil Fuel Industry?” describes how california is one of the biggest oil and crude providers, but also one of the leading sates in the green energy initiative. The article overall summarize how california new governor is working with the oil companies to provide safe restrictions and provide the company with jobs and opportunity. Furthermore it goes to state relevant events like Covid-19 and how california government is working towards a greener environment while providing for the decline oil business.

 

In my opinion this article is super cool, informative, and overall really interesting. The articles does a great job explaining how california is in both paths of energy and how they are finding equal solution for both sides. the article specifically explains how the new governor is working on restricting the guidelines and rules of the oil companies, but at the same time providing the declining business with opportunities and a way back up. This article is related to environmental science because with the cut back of oil and california moving forward with the green initiative, climate change is being confronted and stooped and california’s air, land, and overall ecosystem will see positive benefits.

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Adopt-A-Topic (2nd phase)

Los Angles Times, ( 24 Sep, 2020) Boiling Point: California won’t need to kill fossil fuel plants. They’re dying of old age. Retrieved November 17,2020 from https://www.latimes.com/environment/newsletter/2020-09-24/fossil-fuel-plants-ladwp-methane-stranded-assets-boiling-point (Links to an external site.). The article “Boiling Point: California won’t need to kill fossil fuel plants. They’re dying of old age” explains how one of california’s gas plants was leaking methane and endangering californian citizens. Furthermore it s goes on to explain how even though its hurting the environment and people its still vital for california’s energy because were still making the transition over to cleaner and renewable energy. Also the article goes on to say will the companies of these gas plants get there moneys worth and how eventually california will become green energy dependent.

 

The shutting down of old gas and coal plants is terrific and great for the environment, but with its shut downs comes some questions. This article is confusing in many ways and im not sure how to address all the questions i have. Why is it that when an old gas or coal plant shuts down early tax payers must pay of its debt. I mean why did we build it if were just gonna shut it down half way through its life expectancy and why is it that when were shutting down one natural gas plant we are building a new one to support the transition to green energy. This cycle of of closing and opening and ho its effecting our environment and predictions is just down right confusing. I’m just reading and asking myself who comes up with these ideas and solutions, cause they need to consider some serious help. This article is environmental science related because one of the gas plants in california was leaking methane. THis methane leak was cause considerable harm to its nearby humans and ecosystem/environment.

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Adopt-A-Topic (2nd phase)

Los Angeles Times, ( Aug 24, 2020) The power went out. Now California might let these gas plants stay open. Retrieved November 16,2020, from https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-08-24/after-rolling-blackouts-california-might-let-four-gas-plants-stay-open (Links to an external site.). Many within california government are struggling with the idea of how to fix california’s energy crises. They are trying to come up with a solution because they were ill prepared and did not think ahead. The article overall summarizes that some people believe that natural gas plants need to stay open in case solar and other green energy can not provide for california during this heat wave, many think of it has has insurance. Than there are others who state the natural gas plants are to harmful and must be closed. Aloforna will have to find another way to deal with the blackouts.

 

Within this article is good and bad news. If california decides to keep the gas plants open california can once again provide enough energy to keep california’s lights on, but it will most definitely effect our environment negatively. On the other hand if we close the plants california will become greener and healthier, but will most definitely have blackouts. I see wins and loses on both sides, this article is interesting and compelling. California government can not come to a decisive decision and even if they do, it seems they rarely follow through. Furthermore i find myself sking whats worse california going through continuous blackouts and energy crisis, or gas plants remaining open and most likely effecting thousands of citizens health and california’s environment. This article is related through environmental science through the idea that  if the plants reman open it will increase california presence in climate change and negatively effects its air quality and surrounding ecosystem.

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Adopt-A-Topic (2nd phase)

Gtm, (17 Aug. 2020) California’s Shift From Natural Gas to Solar Is Playing a Role in Rolling Blackouts. Retrieved November 16,2020, from https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/how-californias-shift-from-natural-gas-to-solar-is-playing-a-role-in-rolling-blackouts (Links to an external site.). The article “California’s Shift From Natural Gas to Solar Is Playing a Role in Rolling Blackouts” explains how california’s renewable energy resources are not living up to its goals and are causing a state of panic and wide spread blackouts. The article summarizes how california’s mayor had to put california in a state if emergency because they an not provide enough green energy to keep the state alive. Furthermore it states that california is seeking help from its neighboring states, but do to heat waves across america other states can not provide help and california should expect blackouts. The last idea mentioned in the articles is how california will be hard pressed to live up t there agreement on 100 percent carbon free energy.

 

The use of renewables energy like solar and wind power is a great idea and will help the world become a greener and healthier place. Also the fact that california is taking charge and trying to rely on greener energy is great. Although this article makes me angry and frustrated when i read it. Why is california failing so miserable, i don’t understand why were shutting down natural gas plants if solar and other renewable energies cant provide enough juice for california. Furthermore the fact that we don’t have a reliable back up system and forgot to plan ahead just makes be question the people running the government. I mean we have to ask other states for energy and even they cant provide energy because they face the same situation. I laugh at the idea that people say california will become carbon free in the year 2030 when they know the project is already behind, why are we saying stuff like that when we cant even provide enough energy for the state. This article is related to environment science through the idea that solar and wind energy will lead to a healthier california ecosystem and reduce the impact on climate change.

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Adopt-A-Topic (2nd phase)

California Globe, ( Aug 28, 2020)  How Long Can ‘Dirty Coal’ and Gas Bail Out L.A. From Heat Waves? Retrieved November 15,2020, from

https://californiaglobe.com/section-2/how-long-can-dirty-coal-and-gas-bail-out-l-a-from-heat-waves/ (Links to an external site.). The article “How Long Can ‘Dirty Coal’ and Gas Bail Out L.A. From Heat Waves?” explains how the city of Los Angles experiences outages, but not full on blackouts during the heatwaves. The article explains that the city is able to avoid these catastrophes because they use coal and other natural gasses. The articles states that the city of Los angles gets there power from a nuclear power plant in Arizona. This power plant does not provide enough energy for the city, and there for 75% of Los angles power load must be supported coal and other natural gasses

 

The article is shocking and somewhat confusing. I personally didn’t know california experiences this type of problem with blackouts. The thing i find most interesting about this articles is why the city of Los angles must get there power from a nuclear power plant in Arizona. Also the fact that this power plant does not provide the necessary energy to keep the city alive. I am confused on the fact that coal and other natural gasses must provide 75% of the power, were not making any progress on helping the environment. In my personal opinion its a cycle that only has negative effects and is run by selfish politicians. This article is related to environment science, through the idea that it directly effects climate change. Because the city will still be coal dependent in the coming years, it will release CO2 and green house gases that will negatively effect our earth.

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E&Enews.(2020 April 8).Can Coal Survive the Coronavirus. Retrieved August 12,2020, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-coal-survive-the-coronavirus/

 

The article “Can Coal Survive the Coronavirus” explains how U.S. coal plants are an aging bunch and are slowly dieing out. It goes on to note that the warm winter is affecting the coal industry in ways they’ve nevr seen. furthermore the plants are facing a problem that they can not overcome. They don’t have enough space to store there extra coal, coal analysts Joe Aldina said “Some utilities may be forced to burn coal from their stockpiles to make way for new shipments and satisfy the terms of their contracts” this means there burn coal for no reason.The article ends by stating that some of the biggest coal companies are “ liquidating” and most likely shutting down. 

 

This article is insightful because its brings in perspective of how covid-19 is effecting our economy and industries like coal. I rather like this article because it explains in further detail how the industry as declined in 2020 and it brings in current events like covid-19. Furthermore it uses reliable facts, statics, and quotes relevant people. My reaction to this article was interested and useful. This article is revant to environmental science through the idea that the decline or closing of coal mines and power plants has a direct positive impact on the world biggest issue climate change.  

 

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The Washington Post. (2020 March 24).Coal miners told to keep working during the outbreak despite close quarters, damaged lungs. Retrieved August 12, 2020, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/03/24/coal-miners-coronavirus/

 

In the article “Coal miners told to keep working during the outbreak despite close quarters, damaged lungs” its states that some coal mines around the country will not close because they feel the industry is a essential job. The article says there are people that argue that coal mines are on the decline and natural gases are enough, but there are people like trump and city officials who feel they must keep the industry going. The article overall explains the situation the industry is going through and how it effects the miners financially and physically. 

 

I whole heartily disagree with the some of the ideas in this article. The west virginia governor, Jim Justice makes me want to just punch something. He argues that the coal mines give people jobs and is an essential business. Although i agree with the idea that it gives people jobs and money, the very idea to call the coal industry essentially is ludicrous. In my opinion him keeping coal mines open is endangering the workers to covid-19, also those worker who are then expose to each other will pass it to  there nieghbors and those nieghbors will then pass in on and the cycle will repeat till everyone is effected. In my eyes the governor is endangering the very lifes he swore to protect. Overall my reaction to this article was deep anger and a sense of sadness. Thi article is related to envorenmental science due to the fact that the refusal to close the coal mines will effect greenhouse emissions, and climate change.   

   

 

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Grenntechmedia. ( 2020 August 12). US Coal Power Generation Plummets 30% in 2020, EIA Says. retrieved August 10, 2020, from https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/us-coal-generation-plunges-30-in-first-half-of-2020-eia-says

 

  The Article “US Coal Power Generation Plummets 30% in 2020” refers to the droppage of coal based energy in the united states.The articles uses numbers and graphs to show the decline of coal and the rise of natural gases, nuclear power and renewable energy. The article goes on to say the coal industry is considerable more expansive compared to its competitors and how coal plants have simply become “uneconomical in most regions,”. The articles concludes with questioning the long-term viability of coal.

 

I agree with the ideas in the artice that coals mines are rapidly declining and becoming to expensive to maintain. Furthermore the article sheds light on how covid-19 has effected the industry and coal mines long term stability. My reaction to this article was positive and curious. I liked how they used up to date facts to support there statements, also they used pictures and graphs to show the decline of natural gases and the rise of renewable energy. This article correlates with envronmenl science throught the idea that less usage of natural gases has a positive effect on the oceans and forests, which inturn helps the animals and creatures inhabiting them.   

 

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U.S.News. (2020 january 13). U.S. Coal-Fired Power Plants Closing Fast Despite Trump’s Pledge of Support for Industry. Retrieved August 5, 2020, from https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2020-01-13/us-coal-fired-power-plants-closing-fast-despite-trumps-pledge-of-support-for-industry

 

 

In the article ”U.S. Coal-Fired Power Plants Closing Fast Despite Trump’s Pledge of Support for Industry” it explains why the United states coal-fired power plants are being closed at a record pace. It goes on to note how much energy the coal plants produced and why it is in such a decline. The articles says the coal industry has been in steep decline for a decade due to solar and wind energy. Also it states people are concerned over coal’s contribution to climate change. Its last important note is about trump, who is trying to revive the coal industry to fulfill his pledge to voters 

I believe this article to be positive in the sense that it talks about how coal mines all over the country are closing and how its bound to have positive affects for climate change.But at the same time I feel the article is very political and talks more about todays president. My reaction to this articles is one of uneasy and caution. As you and I are aware, that any political talk can be read as to harsh or one sided and that a person can infer the wrong idea, and suddenly your “cancelled” or bound to relentless hate and anger. Never the less in my opinion i believe the coal mines closing can only have positive effects for our struggling planet. I believe that this article is relevant to environmental science because the closing of the mines will decrease the CO2 emmisions and overall put less green house gases in the atmosphere. Furthermore one negative effect of the closing of multiple mines is that people will lose the jobs, which will effect the economy and might of some environmental repercussions.

 

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coal

The New York Times. (2020, July 6). The Next Energy Battle: Renewables vs Natural Gas. Retrieved August 5, 2020, from Https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/06/business/energy-environment/renewable-energy-natural-gas.html

 

The article “The Next Energy Battle: Renewables vs Natural Gas” explains the difference between renewable energy and natural gases and how they are pitted against each other. When reading this article it talks about how different states in the U.S are shutting down there various coal mines and replacing them with hydroelectric dams, wind turbines and solar panels. The articles overall main point is to showcase how many countries are switching over to renewable sources. 

 

I think this articles is very insightful and I agree with many of its claims and its overall argument. The article summrizes that the world is changing from natural gas to renewables, and how its effecting people and America. In my opinion I believe that the switch to renewable energy is a wise and a very important step in changing our future for the better. Although the articles states that even with the change to renewables the united states is still very caol dependent. I agree with this assessment and firmly believe that america will eventually be renewable dependent, but till than we will have to use coal mines and other natural gases to keep america running. This article is related to environmental science through the idea that people using natrual gasses and renewables effect the atmosphere which inturn effects the human population.