"Clean Coal" Still Struggling to Catch On, 350.org Pulls Plug on Ice Sculpture Plans

The current "clean coal" dream is not looking like a reality any time soon. The last two administrations have been pushing this solution to satisfy both ends of the spectrum, but it is not seeing the success anticipated. The goal was to use the cheap but relatively dirty coal to generate power, but capture the toxic emissions through new technology, thus making coal "clean." The technology is expensive, though, and and there are currently no limits on carbon emissions. As a result, without new regulations there is no incentive to use this technology or shift to cleaner sources of energy. And some predict it could take billions in government investment before it can become a valuable practice commercially.

The well-known climate change group 350.org has changed its plans after receiving feedback on a protest activity planned for Washington D.C. The group hoped to melt a giant ice sculpture reading "HOAX?" in the sweltering heat that has plagued the nation and its capital for more than a week. However, criticism from people in West Virginia and elsewhere caused 350.org president Bill McKibben to rethink his plan after they claimed the melting ice would cause people to disrespect their plight. Instead, McKibben is donating the funds raised for the project to heat and drought relief, and admitted his mistake in a blog he wrote on Saturday.