Environmental Constraints: Threat to Coal's Future?

Certainly a clean and healthy environment is a fundamental desire among people of all nations; and certainly it is no understatement to say that environmental constraints are at the heart of most discussions about the use of coal today. But more important to this conference is what the future holds as we enter the 21st century. Imagine if you will the year 2050. What will coal use be like then? Will world consumption have quadrupled to over 20 billion tons/year to serve a growing population, or might coal be only a fading memory in a world powered by new gas supplies, safer nuclear plants, or abundant solar energy? Certainly many factors will shape the destiny of coal. But unquestionably, a concern for the world's environment will be among the most prominent