Australian PM: ‘Coal is good for humanity’

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said “coal is good for humanity” during the opening of a coal mine on Monday.

Abbott, who recently worked to repeal a carbon tax on Australia’s industrial sources, said coal demand will continue grow in the coming decades.

{mosads}”Coal is vital for the future energy needs of the world,” Abbott said, according to The Guardian. “So let’s have no demonisation of coal. Coal is good for humanity.”

Abbott commented on the future of coal during the opening of a $4.2 billion coal mine in Queensland, Australia.

“The future for coal is bright and it is the responsibility for government to try to ensure that we are there making it easier for everyone wanting to have a go,” Abbott said.

Abbott’s comments clash with the Obama administration’s objective to curb greenhouse gas emissions dramatically by 2030 and tackle climate change.

The administration is working to woo poor nations to the table in time for the Paris 2015 talks, where countries will attempt to finalize a global climate accord.