Ep 5. March 12, 2017

In the fifth episode of season 4 of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," which aired on March 12, 2017, John Oliver returns to his usual format of deep-diving into a specific topic. This week, he takes a closer look at the coal industry.

Oliver starts off by highlighting the plummeting numbers of coal jobs in the United States. The coal industry has been struggling for years, with jobs decreasing by over 50% in the last decade. Oliver emphasizes the fact that Donald Trump has promised to bring back coal jobs to the U.S, even though it's unlikely he'll be able to deliver on that promise.

He then talks about the real impact of coal-mining on the environment. While many people see coal as a cheap and reliable source of energy, the production of coal has an enormous impact on air and water quality. Oliver breaks down the different methods used to extract coal and the effects they have on our environment. He also mentions a number of mining disasters that have occurred in the past.

From there, Oliver looks at the role of politicians in the coal industry. He points out that many politicians have deep ties to the industry and are reluctant to regulate it. The EPA, for example, is run by a man who has spent his career opposing the agency. Oliver also talks about the efforts of the Obama administration to regulate coal production and protect the environment.

Oliver then shifts his focus to the business side of the coal industry. He breaks down how coal companies are structured and how they make money. He reveals that many companies are going bankrupt, but still paying their CEOs huge salaries. He also looks at how much money the government spends subsidizing the industry.

Oliver ends the show on a more hopeful note, by looking at alternative energy sources. He talks about the rapid growth of solar power and how it's becoming cheaper than coal. Oliver argues that investing in renewable energy is not only better for the environment, but it also creates more jobs in the long run.

Overall, this episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" is a thorough and informative look at the coal industry. Oliver brings his usual wit and humor to the subject, but never loses sight of the seriousness of the topic. He provides a clear and honest analysis of the coal industry and offers some suggestions for a more sustainable future.