A Future Without Coal - ArcGIS Storymap

Last week, UN Secretary-General António Guterres released a video message urging the globe to mitigate the effect of global warming by ending the “deadly addiction to coal,” stating, “Phasing out coal from the electricity sector is the single most important step to get in line with the 1.5-degree goal.” Guterres explained that although coal did once provide cheap electricity and jobs to communities, it is not the case anymore: “More than half of the renewable capacity added in 2019 achieved lower power costs than the cheapest new coal plants.”

To take a deeper look into a coal-free world, SDSN’s Climate & Energy Research Intern, Fiona Laird, created an ArcGIS StoryMap: A future without coal. ArcGIS StoryMaps is a web-based storytelling platform where users can share maps in a narrative and multimedia context. This StoryMap also builds upon SDSN USA’s Zero Carbon Action Plan (ZCAP) , specifically Chapter 3 on Industrial Policy, Employment, and Just Transition.

“A future without coal” takes a look at the economic impact that transitioning away from coal would have on coal workers and coal-dependent communities. It explores coal from a global perspective, then dives into the impact of coal in the United States with an in-depth analysis of the state of Colorado, and incorporates policy recommendations from ZCAP as a way towards net-zero carbon emissions and a just transition in the United States workforce. “Enabling a just transition will be an ongoing process, requiring collaboration between communities, workers, and companies; private and public funding sources; and local, state, and federal government,” says Laird.

To view the full StoryMap, click here.