In a post about nuclear power, John Quiggin makes a comment in passing that for Australia, “the big problem is that our ancient and dirty coal-fired stations are being kept alive by the anti-renewable stance of the LNP. Contrary their claims of being more reliable than renewables they routinely break down when most needed.” Sure enough, as Victoria faces record temperatures, “three [coal] power generators across Yallourn and Loy Yang A have shut down”, and power failures are likely. So burning coal not only intensifies heatwaves, it also makes them more deadly by making it harder for people to ameliorate the heat.
25 January 2019