As environmentalists, we know coal as one of the most vilified fuel sources around, mostly in terms of its CO2 emissions. Many of us are skeptical about claims of 'clean coal' as well, and are waiting to see the numbers. But yet another argument is being put forth by the coal industry: When large numbers of the world's poor are still burning wood for energy, is coal a cheap and ready source to be considered?

Peabody Energy CEO Greg Boyce believes that coal is an essential energy source for developing economies. Basing his arguments on the facts that a significant percentage of the world's population is still experiencing "Energy Poverty", Boyce claims that coal is the only cheap and readily accessible way to bring electricity to developing countries. For this reason, he believes that coal will remain a strong element of the world's energy mix for the next 50 years, though efforts will have to be made to burn it cleaner and capture carbon emissions.

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