The hell with coal fired power plants- I'm currently installing a 350,000 Btu coal fired boiler for the house and outbuildings. I'll contribute to global warming by warming the neighborhood.
As for the global warming thing, I honestly believe it is a problem only in that it is happening so fast. It will not be the first time the planet has been warm. Remember Pangaea? Pangaea was a super continent before all the current continents shifted around to their present positions on the Earth's mantle. It is also believed to have been warm, wet and lush; covered with jungles near the equator and forests toward the poles. The whole planet was warmer way back when.
I have no idea what animals or plants were around then. I'm sure some of them are still with us today. I think we can all take steps to slow global warming, but with other nations, burgeoning populations and lack of education it's a losing battle. It is inevitable.