Big Coal

Jeff Goodell talked about his book Big Coal: The Dirty Secret Behind America’s Energy Future, published by Houghton Mifflin. During this event, Mr. Goodell examined the environmental, political, and economic issues surrounding coal. He also explained how coal is developed and argued that coal not only brings prosperity but contributes to poverty, illiteracy, and sickness in coal mining communities. Additionally, Mr. Goodell examined how coal has contributed to air pollution, mercury poisoning in fish, landscape deterioration, and global warming of the planet. He concluded that the negative factors surrounding coal should be addressed before building more coal plants. After his presentation he responded to audience members' questions. close