John Howard Refuses To Consider Ending Or Limiting Coal Exports

[hatrack]

CANBERRA, Australia - Australia would not end its biggest single export, coal, as part of the government's strategy to curb greenhouse gas emissions, Prime Minister John Howard said Thursday. Scientist and author Tim Flannery, who last month was chosen as Australian of the Year for his contribution to public understanding of the environment, said late Wednesday that Australia could no longer justify being the world's largest coal exporter given the dire consequences of global warming.

But Howard ruled out cutting coal exports, arguing that Australia's response to climate change must protect jobs in the coal industry. "You can't do that," Howard told Sky television of the prospect of ending coal exports. "That would be devastating to many communities throughout Australia; it would cost thousands of jobs _ we are the largest coal exporter in the world," Howard added.

He said his government was investing in the development of new technology that would make coal-fired power generation cleaner. "We must respond to the challenge of climate change, but we have got to do it in a measured and practical way that doesn't unfairly disadvantage the economy of this country," he added.

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"The social license of coal to operate is rapidly being withdrawn globally, and no government can protect an industry from that sort of thing occurring," he told Australian Broadcasting Corp. television. "We've seen it with asbestos; we'll see it with coal," he added.

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http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2007/02/08/ap/science/d8n5726o0.txt