Day three of the ASPO-USA Conference in Sacramento was focused on where we go from here with fuels other than oil. It began with a session on coal and natural gas reserves and the potential of biofuels. There was considerable information on each of the slides that each of he presenters provided, and so I encourage you to go and look at the presentations which should be up soon on the ASPO site.

David Hughes had the first slot, and talked of the issues that are raised by coal consumption. David began by contrasting a quote by Emerson that

Coal is a portable climate. It carries the heat of the tropics to Labrador and the polar circle; and it is the means of transporting itself whithersoever it is wanted. Watt and Stephenson whispered in the ear of mankind their secret, that a half-ounce of coal will draw two tons a mile, and coal carries coal, by rail and by boat, to make Canada as warm as Calcutta, and with its comfort brings its industrial power.

with the more recent pronouncements of James Hansen that coal is the enemy of the human race.