Plentiful Coal, Not Peak Oil, Is Greatest Global Warming Threat

No matter when you believe global oil production will reach its peak and begin its inevitable decline, don’t believe it will help humanity stop the burning of fossil fuels that contribute to global climate change.

Why? Coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, is far more plentiful than oil is or ever will be. Turning to coal as a replacement transportation fuel would lead to an even greater amount of greenhouse-gas emissions, and thus a greater threat of global climate change.


That’s the view of scientists discussing the relationship between “peak oil” and climate change Wednesday at the American Geophysical Union’s fall meeting in San Francisco. The gathered scientists are seeking to predict what could happen after global oil production reaches its peak oil point