Coal vs gas, or coal and gas?

Coal is bad, and so is natural gas, when it comes to climate change. Then why is it that the Western world, which has to date built its economy on dirty coal, is now wedded to gas as its dream fuel?

Why is dirty coal singled out when it comes to climate change? Why not natural gas, which too is a fossil fuel and emits gases that contribute to global warming? I know I am asking an inconvenient question. But bear with me. I do so, knowing that we need to drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions, and fast. But we need clarity on what we are doing and why.

As an environmentalist based in Delhi, I am clear that coal burning is bad for our health; it generates emissions that we must not breathe. It is bad also because it is