Climate change and existential risks from global catastrophes are two pressing challenges. One way to address both issues could be to acquire coal mines with the explicit purpose of keeping them unused. This would both prevent carbon emissions and preserve coal as a strategic resource for post-catastrophe recovery.

The Problem and Opportunity

Coal mining releases significant greenhouse gases, while easily accessible energy sources could prove vital if industrial civilization collapses. By securing a coal mine as a protected reserve, both climate mitigation and existential risk reduction could be achieved. The mine would balance ecological preservation with practicality—remaining untouched under normal circumstances but available if needed for societal recovery.

How It Could Work

A suitable mine would need to be selected based on location, coal quality, and legal viability. Contracts could ensure extraction only happens after a verified global catastrophe, enforced through a trust structure. For communities dependent on mining, financial incentives or alternative employment might offset economic losses. Possible revenue could come from:

• Carbon credit markets for avoided emissions
• Philanthropic funding for climate and resilience projects
• Government grants as part of disaster preparedness

Comparing With Existing Solutions

Unlike carbon capture or seed vaults, this approach focuses on preserving a fundamental industrial resource. Coal offers advantages in post-collapse scenarios because it can power basic manufacturing, unlike oil or uranium which require more advanced infrastructure. A small-scale test could involve leasing a single mine to refine the legal and operational model before expanding.

This concept presents a rare intersection of climate action and existential risk planning—potentially serving as a practical, if unconventional, step toward long-term resilience.