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This is irony. Irony juxtaposes what people think is true with what is actually true in order to emphasize the difference - in this case, that people think coal is the cleaner and safer source of energy, when it really isn’t.</p>
<p>I doubt that is the extent that College Board expected people to go (that’s an inference, I admit), but phrases like “The consequences aren’t pretty,” “On top of of that,” and “Believe it or not,” are all more bitterly (because they are demonstrating a negative opinion) witty than forcefully passionate (which they aren’t at all). </p>
<p>This question was an unfortunate coincidence of people not knowing what vehemence and irony are. There is absolutely nothing forceful or passionate about the passage, and there is irony.</p>