"The Road to Carbon Pier: Coal's Legacy from Industrialization to Climate Crisis"

How coal negative externalities are dwarfed by it's benefits cementing its use

In 1937, George Orwell’s The Road to Wigan Pier provided a harrowing glimpse into the harsh realities of working-class life in northern England. Orwell’s exploration of the Brooker family’s grim existence in overcrowded, dilapidated housing painted a stark picture of industrial neglect. His journey into the perilous depths of coal mines revealed not only the dangerous working conditions but also the grim economic reality of meager wages and exorbitant living costs. This snapshot of poverty and deprivation was not just a critique of the living conditions but a broader indictment of the systemic failures of the industrial era.

Orwell’s investigation exposed the myth that miners were well-compensated for their hazardous work. Instead, he found that their wages were insufficient to keep them from the brink of subsistence, and their living conditions were appalling. The squalid homes, characterized by rot, vermin, and overcrowding, were a direct consequence of both economic exploitation and insufficient political will to address the crisis.

The transformative role of coal in the Industrial Revolution was profound, ushering in an era of significant economic and social changes. Prior to the widespread use of coal, life was marked by severe hardship, low life expectancy, and widespread disease. The Industrial Revolution, fueled by coal, spurred advancements in industry, transportation, and production. This era saw dramatic improvements in infrastructure, life expectancy, and income levels, reflecting a fundamental shift in human progress.

For example, before industrialization, global life expectancy was around 30-40 years. By the mid-20th century, life expectancy in industrialized nations had risen to over 70 years. Similarly, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in Britain surged from approximately $200 in 1800 to over $1,000 by 1900, and in the 21st century, it exceeds $30,000 in many developed countries.