...99 percent confident that the world really was getting warmer and that there was a high degree of probability that it was due to human-made greenhouse gases.
James HansenRead
Coal is the single greatest threat to civilization and all life on our planet.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Coal is a major contributor to climate change and poses a significant risk to life on Earth.
James Hansen's quote highlights the immense danger that the continued reliance on coal for energy poses to the environment and humanity. As a fossil fuel that releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants when burned, coal is a driving force behind climate change, which threatens ecosystems, health, and the very fabric of civilization itself. Hansen emphasizes the urgency of transitioning to cleaner energy sources to safeguard the future of our planet.
Themes
CoalCivilizationThreatClimate ChangeEnvironmentEnergy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech about climate change at an environmental conference.
More from James Hansen
All quotes βWe need to send a message to Congress and the president that we want them to take the actions that are needed to preserve climate for young people and future generations and all life on the planet.
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Rising carbon price is essential to 'decarbonize' the economy - to remove the nation towards the era beyond fossil fuels.
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'Goals' and 'caps' on carbon emissions are practically worthless, if coal emissions continue, because of the exceedingly long lifetime of carbon dioxide in the air.
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