Coen Brothers Make New Anti-Clean Coal Spot
Updated, with additional details.
The Reality Coalition, set up by five environmental orgs to debunk the notion that there is such a thing as "clean coal," is introducing a new ad spot directed by the Coen Brothers, to be introduced in broadcast and online media today.
Joel and Ethan Coen agreed to do the spot after the coalition's Boulder, Colo., based ad firm Crispin Porter + Bogusky sent them the script.
The coalition is fighting what they call a "misinformation" campaign by the coal industry to convince the public that there is such a thing as "clean coal," or that it is possible in the near future, as a way to divert attention from the need to curb carbon emissions.
But even President Obama mentioned clean coal in his speech before Congress on Tuesday.
He pledged to invest "fifteen billion dollars a year to develop technologies like wind power and solar power; advanced biofuels, clean coal, and more fuel-efficient cars and trucks built right here in America."
In a conference call, Bruce Nilles, national coal campaign director for the Sierra Club, which is part of the coalition, said, "We remain highly skeptical whether it can be done, a, technically, and, b, whether it makes economic sense."
The groups also in the coalition include Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection, the National Wildlife Federation, the National Resources Defense Council and the League of Conservation Voters.
The Coen Brothers said in a statement, "We were excited to be part of this important project and tell another side of the 'clean' coal story."
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Smug commercials like this reflect an anti-poor and anti-middle class message, because the poor and middle class will suffer the most if we don't build more power plants ASAP.
America's demand for energy will increase at least 40% in the next 20 years. Unfortunately, there are not enough power plants to meet this demand - or any more demand, in fact, and most plans for more plants have been canceled, partly because of environmentalists. Bottom line: add the new cap-and-trade tax this year, and you can expect your monthly power bill to double within the next year, and that's even if you LOWER your consumption!
Plus as businesses' power bills increase, you'll also see the cost for everything else go up. The super rich in Hollywood can afford those expenses, but most of us cannot.
China, on the other hand, completes a new (dirty) coal plant every week. What good is our fight against global warming in the US if China and India build dirty plants every week?
If we can demonstrate that clean coal is economically viable, we can export that technology around the world, and provide, clean, cheap energy to billions.
http://www.futuregenalliance.org/ for global peace and prosperity!
Posted by: Collatine | February 26, 2009 at 12:03 PM
What a shame that such talented filmmakers are brainwashed by the leftist moonbats. As much as I admire their work, I've had enough of their political posturing and will no longer spend money on anything that benefits them. Funny how people can be experts in one specific area and absolutely clueless in another. A shame indeed.
Posted by: dob | February 26, 2009 at 01:49 PM
sorry this is a lame commercial for a truly worthy cause. Instead I saw TheDirtyLie.com which is far more effective.
Posted by: mirav ozeri | February 26, 2009 at 01:55 PM
Am I the only one that is getting sick of rich people telling poor people how they need to "improve" their life?
I will agree, our country is desperate need of an exportable and producable form of new-energy products, but it isn't going to be solar, geo or priuses. You better start getting smarter if you want to serioulsy convince poor people they need to buy your message...
Posted by: Scott | February 26, 2009 at 01:57 PM
This is a lame commercial for a worthwhile cause. What a shame, such an important topic, and they blew it. See about TheDirtyLie.com
Posted by: mirav ozeri | February 26, 2009 at 02:05 PM
Obama's plan to massively raise our utility bills is just on the horizon. Bend over.
Posted by: Obama | February 26, 2009 at 05:28 PM
this is genius. a sketch group called free love forum did one a few years ago that is every bit as good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71kckb8hhOQ
Posted by: telly | February 27, 2009 at 06:25 AM
I would make a commercial with people flipping on a light switch and then pan to an Appalachian Mountain being blown apart by the Mountain Top Removal Method of coal mining.
Different people, switch after switch, rapid fire with the accompaning deciduous mountains getting blown up and a valley and fresh water stream getting covered up.
There is no such thing as clean coal
Posted by: Larry | February 27, 2009 at 01:46 PM
Typical CP+B
Send in the clowns
Ryan Kutscher looked good in his sunglasses and cup of kool-aid so so happy to work with talent like the Coen Brothers. Right subject..Bad delivery.
Posted by: Rip Salsa | February 27, 2009 at 08:32 PM
How about a commercial that shows a bunch of rich people on their private jets going on shopping trips to Paris sipping champagne and laughing as they use more resources than half the country.
Then you could switch to a bunch of coal miners going into the mines to mine coal for their electricity.
Posted by: Jennifer | March 02, 2009 at 07:44 AM