This is Reality and America’s Power, two web sites devoted to spreading the truth about clean coal, have very different opinions about what the truth is. The This is Reality site would have you believe that the “clean” coal ad campaign put forth by America’s Power, and their associates, is the coal industry’s dirty little secret. In the midst of a “green” energy craze, coals future provides an interesting debate.
Following a brief loading screen, the Reality site’s home page immediately engages the viewer with an interactive animation. A bright yellow canary flies in from the right of the screen before crashing into a virtual billboard which reads “Burning coal is a leading source of global warming pollution” –US EPA. A moving arrow next to the unconscious canary points to “click for more reality”. The TV spots used by the Reality site were entertaining and informative.
The America’s Power home page has a welcoming feel. The smiling faces adorning the light background and soft colors seem to represent ever day Americans. The site portrays coal as a vital American resource responsible for half of America’s electricity. While coal might not be clean, according to the America’s Power website it’s getting cleaner. The site claims that from 1970 to 2005 the emissions per billion kilowatt hours fell from 30, 510 short tons per billion kilowatt hours to just 6,970. Now personally I think that 7,000ish still sounds pretty high but apparently it is 77.15% better.
Both sites contain hard hitting one liners and information supporting their claims; however, the edge in the content department has to go to America’s Power. A wealth of videos from prominent politicians and the interactive factuality tour from the seemingly well funded America’s Power site make a compelling pro-coal argument. Quantity, though, is not always as good as Quality. The simple yet artsy Reality sites use of punch-lines like “Burning coal is the dirtiest way we produce electricity” and, “CO2 emissions from U.S. coal-based electricity are greater than emissions from all the cars and trucks in America “ speak volumes. Not to mention, many of their statements are from government agencies like the EPA and US Department of Energy.
In the end the videos make the difference. The well produced, entertaining TV spots from the This is Reality site make most lasting impression. The boring political interviews from the America’s Power site left me yawning. The message that I’ll remember is that “Clean” coal doesn’t exist.
One Man’s Opinion
Following a brief loading screen, the Reality site’s home page immediately engages the viewer with an interactive animation. A bright yellow canary flies in from the right of the screen before crashing into a virtual billboard which reads “Burning coal is a leading source of global warming pollution” –US EPA. A moving arrow next to the unconscious canary points to “click for more reality”. The TV spots used by the Reality site were entertaining and informative.
The America’s Power home page has a welcoming feel. The smiling faces adorning the light background and soft colors seem to represent ever day Americans. The site portrays coal as a vital American resource responsible for half of America’s electricity. While coal might not be clean, according to the America’s Power website it’s getting cleaner. The site claims that from 1970 to 2005 the emissions per billion kilowatt hours fell from 30, 510 short tons per billion kilowatt hours to just 6,970. Now personally I think that 7,000ish still sounds pretty high but apparently it is 77.15% better.
Both sites contain hard hitting one liners and information supporting their claims; however, the edge in the content department has to go to America’s Power. A wealth of videos from prominent politicians and the interactive factuality tour from the seemingly well funded America’s Power site make a compelling pro-coal argument. Quantity, though, is not always as good as Quality. The simple yet artsy Reality sites use of punch-lines like “Burning coal is the dirtiest way we produce electricity” and, “CO2 emissions from U.S. coal-based electricity are greater than emissions from all the cars and trucks in America “ speak volumes. Not to mention, many of their statements are from government agencies like the EPA and US Department of Energy.
In the end the videos make the difference. The well produced, entertaining TV spots from the This is Reality site make most lasting impression. The boring political interviews from the America’s Power site left me yawning. The message that I’ll remember is that “Clean” coal doesn’t exist.
One Man’s Opinion
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