Protestors disrupted a Liquid to Coal Conference for over half an hour:
Coal-to-Liquids technologies release excessive amounts of carbon dioxide, much more than the process to refine petroleum. In order to put a clean face on the obviously dirty technology, the industry relies on carbon sequestration — an unproven and unreliable concept. This conference joins together dozens of companies who are willingly taking a step backwards in the energy field rather than joining in the progress of clean energy.
"Its time to stop investing in false solutions. We are facing a climate crisis. It is time to stand up and fight for a sustainable future," said Emma Cassidy of DC Rising Tide.
The group has unfurled a banner reading "Coal Takes Lives," a play on the conference’s name, CTL 2009. Two activists made short speeches to the crowd before being escorted out. Others are still waiting on deck.
Pictures of the protest are now available:
Liquid Coal has been shown to be one of the most destructive of technologies as far as Global Warming is concerned. In Sunday's New York Times, Tom Friedman talks about how global warming is accelerating much faster than anyone had expected and that the once-skeptical MIT is now leading the charge. He reports that one billion dollars is being sunk into a project to communicate best practices around the world. America cannot afford the risk of going back to more of the same.
Participants in the conference.
Exxon Mobil is listed.