Similarly, when Margaret Thatcher broke the British coal miners' unions in 1985, Britain was able to switch to cleaner-burning natural gas.

CNN: Hot Air In Kyoto

The gradual switch to cleaner sources of energy has contributed to a 13% decline in carbon emissions from 2007 to 2012, the report said.

FORBES: Report: Clean Power Is Moving (Gradually) Into Americans' Homes

The fuel that powered the U.S. from the industrial revolution into the iPhone era is being pushed aside as utilities switch to cleaner and cheaper alternatives.

MSN: Coal producers find themselves in a hard place