Why Can't We Keep Burning Coal? Understanding Australia's Energy Crossroads

You might be wondering, "Coal has powered Australia for so long, why the big push to get rid of it?" It's a fair question. After all, coal has been a reliable source of electricity for generations in Australia. But the world, and our understanding of its impacts, has changed. Here's a clear look at why Australia urgently needs to phase out coal-fired power.

The Big One: What's Coal Doing to Our Climate?

Think of our atmosphere like a blanket around the Earth, keeping us warm. Certain gases, called greenhouse gases, make that blanket thicker. Burning coal releases a huge amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is like adding extra layers to that blanket, making the Earth heat up too much (Source: Union of Concerned Scientists).

This extra warming isn't just a little bit hotter summers, it's driving more extreme weather events that we're already seeing right here in Australia: longer and more intense heatwaves, worse droughts that hurt our farmers, bigger and more dangerous bushfires, and rising sea levels that threaten our coastal communities (Source: Climate Council).

Australia has promised the world we'll do our part to tackle climate change by reducing our emissions to net-zero by 2050. We simply can't meet those goals if we keep burning large amounts of coal (Source: Mining Technology).

Is Coal Making Us Sick? The Health Costs We Can't Ignore

It's not just about the planet; burning coal also has serious consequences for our health. Coal-fired power plants release tiny, nasty particles and gases into the air that we breathe (Source: Greenpeace Australia Pacific).

These pollutants can cause or worsen all sorts of health problems, from asthma and bronchitis that make it hard to breathe, to serious heart problems and even lung cancer. Kids are especially at risk. Plus, toxic metals like mercury released from coal plants can harm our brains and development (Source: Union of Concerned Scientists). Continuing to rely on coal means accepting these health risks for ourselves and future generations.

The Money Question: Is Coal Still the Smart Choice Economically?

You might think coal is the cheapest way to power our lives, but that's changing fast. Australia's coal-fired power plants are getting old, and like any old machine, they break down more often and cost more to fix. This can lead to unexpected power outages, especially when we need electricity the most, like to cool us down during those scorching summer days (Source: Climate Council).

Meanwhile, the cost of renewable energy like solar and wind has plummeted. In many cases, it's now cheaper to build and run new solar and wind farms than to keep our old coal plants going (Source: RenewEconomy). Investing in clean energy isn't just good for the planet; it's increasingly the smarter economic move, creating new jobs and industries right here in Australia (Source: Clean Energy Council).

Looking ahead, many of the countries we trade with are also moving towards cleaner energy. If we stick with coal, we risk being left behind and missing out on new economic opportunities in green technologies like green hydrogen [Source: Mining Technology).

The Good News: We Have Better Options

The great thing is, Australia is blessed with incredible natural resources for clean energy. We have sunshine in abundance for solar power and strong winds in many areas. Technologies like battery storage (like Reposit-managed batteries) and pumped hydro can help us store this clean energy and make sure it's available when we need it, even when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing (Source: Australian Energy Council). Building new power lines to connect these renewable energy sources is also a key part of the transition (Source: UNSW Sydney).

The Bottom Line:

Phasing out coal-fired power in Australia isn't about punishing the past; it's about building a healthier, more sustainable, and economically stronger future for all of us. The science on climate change is clear, the health risks are undeniable, and the economics are increasingly pointing towards cleaner, cheaper alternatives. It's time to embrace the opportunities of the clean energy transition.