You could also be in line for a cushy job in government or at a university doing the anti-coal lecture circuit.

One recent example of this career change have been the former state fire commissioners who have gone on a self-appointed crusade to convince everyone how bad climate change is and how coal will lead to more fires.

Sick of being bagged out by their neighbours and fellow retirees for their inability to control the bushfires that swept through half of the country earlier this year, they now have a new calling in life.

These over-superannuated former public servants - who in retrospect did little to protect their communities from fire by undertaking the necessary backburning around residential properties - are now trying to clear up their shoddy record in fire protection by blaming climate change.

In the process they are being treated like rock stars by gullible members of the media who think they are spouting the truth about global warming.

There is also a band of universities and professors keen to get a few extra junkets and talking engagements who are on the climate change band wagon.

Don't worry that they have no qualifications in climate studies, mining, or any other science that may be relevant.

They are usually arts or philosophy professors on an ideological crusade and coal is the enemy in their sights.

Pliant university administrators encourage them to go out and spin their anti-coal diatribe to their students who then go on to organise protests and media stunts that endanger the lives of people who are trying to build real mining projects that provide real jobs in the real world. 

The anti-Adani protest movement turned into an industry that spawned a number of careers and reputations that should last for years to come.

It also provided a good outlet for travel to exotic destinations for bored retirees tired of overindulging their grandchildren.

Every man and his dog wants to put the boot into coal because it ensures kudos with very little effort.

You can be holier than thou without even raising a sweat.

However, Hogsback reckons all this ideological warfare could end badly for everyone if Australia's coal mining industry does start to decline.