The environmental case against coal has been well known for some time – its negative impact on the climate and the quality of the air we breathe is significant and unarguable. There is no doubt that countries continuing to use coal for power are making a material contribution to global warming. At a time when western allies are encouraging big polluters such as China and Russia to clean up their act, it is vital that we lead by example and end our own dependence on fossil fuels. This cannot, of course, happen overnight. The coal industry is an important part of many countries’ economies and a major supplier of power – to end that right away, as some argue, would be to damage livelihoods and access to electricity. But by taking prudent decisions now, we can transition our power supply away from coal without inflicting that harm on people’s lives.