Annotated Bibliography

I am researching the environmental effects of coal and supposed “clean coal.” I will look into the process of extraction, processing and burning and examine the possibility that coal can be converted into a clean, environmentally viable option.

Conniff, Richard. "The Myth of Clean Coal." Yale Environment 360. Yale University, n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2012. <http://e360.yale.edu/feature/the_myth_of_clean_coal/2014/>.

This is an opinion piece though contain facts and examples against clean coal. It especially examines the propaganda created by coal companies. 

"Bixby Energy Systems Introduces Revolutionary Process for Converting Coal Into Energy with   Minimal Carbon Emissions." Prnewswire.mediaroom.com. PR Newswire, n.d. Web. Nov. 2012. <http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bixby-energy-systems-introduces-revolutionary-process-for-converting-coal-into-energy-with-minimal-carbon-emissions-97295724.html>.
This article describes a process Bixby Energy’s system of creating clean coal. It is not especially specific but provides other sources. 

Linden, Henry R. "Engineering Challenges." NAE Website. National Academy of Engineering, n.d. Fall 1999, Web. 09 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nae.edu/Publications/Bridge/EngineeringChallenges/AlternativePathwaystoaCarbon-Emission-FreeEnergySystem.aspx>.
While written in 1999, this article does concisely outline certain possibilities for clean energy. It offers reasonable analysis and information with other sources. 

http://www.coal-is-clean.com/#
And then I found this website. One of my favorite quotes is “It is our god-given right to burn coal.” Should be interesting to look into. 

McKibben, Bill. "Global Warming's Terrifying New Math." Rolling Stone Sept. 2012: n. pag. Web.

This article explains causes of global warming and provides figures which relate coal companies' future burning to carbon dioxide and the warming of the planet. 

Garber, Kent. "Why Clean Coal Is Years Away." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 17 Mar. 2009. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. <http://www.usnews.com/news/energy/articles/2009/03/17/why-clean-coal-is-years-away>.
This article is written from a reliable source with adequate numbers and facts to back it up

Research Paper

This has been saved as a draft for quite a while and just didn't post it. sowwy. 


With growing controversy over energy sources and stigmas surrounding words such as “coal” and “oil”, the concept of “clean coal” has seeped into political policy as the solution to our energy problems. Clean coal itself is an oxymoron and, simply put, a figment of the imagination. Clean coal does not exist despite the fact that it has come up in political debates and cited as an option for ending our dependence on foreign oil. For my research paper, I would like to explore the effects of clean coal, the environmental impact and the possibility of the creation of actual “clean coal.”

I realize that this topic will most likely me deeply scientific, however, the environmental implications interest me. I have recently been fretting over the energy crisis and possible alternatives. I have a few books primarily about climate change  which discuss coal which I can use for sources. From some brief investigation, it seems that there is a significant amount of research surrounding the topic of coal and several movements around stopping coal companies and divesting from coal.

I’m a little worried that this topic will be too broad however I am willing to narrow it down to coal’s contribution to carbon emissions and the possibility of creating “clean coal.”

What is happiness?

Happiness isn't happiness without a violin playing goat.