Introduction

You may have heard the term “clean coal.” But if extracting coal releases methane, and burning coal emits sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and particulates (small particles of soot that are harmful to human lungs), then how can coal be “clean”?

Perhaps “clean coal” is nothing more than a political diversion that relies on our lack of knowledge of coal mining and burning.

This activity is to critically examine and write an article for your blog (self-graded by declaration) exposing “clean coal.”

You are expected to use high-quality, authoritative resources for this activity.

Module Objectives Achieved

You will be able to…

MO 3.1. Assess environmental challenges facing humans (6. #challenges Course)

MO 3.2. Use the vocabulary of env sci. in written communication (7. #vocab Course; 2. #commskills Core)

MO 3.3. Apply critical thinking skills. (7. #think Course; 1 #critthink Core)

Task

1. Complete the NVC Library’s research module #4 – Evaluating Information.

2. Critically read:

Plumer, B. (2017, August 23). What ‘clean coal’ is—and isn’t. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/23/climate/what-clean-coal-is-and-isnt.html

Also available here in our class files: PLUMER_2017_What ‘Clean Coal’ Is — and Isn’t - The New York Times.pdf

3. Using additional authoritative resources, write a 600- to 800-word argument why there is or is not such a thing as clean coal.

4. Post your article to your blog.

Criteria

Have a clearly defined thesis statement.
Have a clearly articulated argument that there is or is not such a thing as clean coal.
Use multiple, authoritative resources.
Write for your blog audience.
Write 600 to 800 words.

Your declaration on the next page will read:

Library Module: I completed Library Module #4.

Blog Title: I titled my blog posting, Clean Coal? Myth or Reality.
Thesis: My thesis is explicit. If I wanted to I could underline the one-sentence thesis statement.
Argument: I made well-articulated, comprehensive argument that there is or is not such a thing as clean coal.
Length: I wrote and posted a 600- to 800-word article and posted it on my blog.
Professionalism: I read my article out loud to myself—twice. There are no errors in grammar, punctuation, capitalization in my article. I used a college level of writing.
Citations and References: I used high-quality references that are authoritative and not biased. I wrote in-text citations and complete references.
Blog URL: Enter your blog page URL.