Funny you use that example. There have been concerted efforts to train coal miners in other fields in an effort to curb coal consumption. Regions that embraced changing to new sources of income in other industries tended to fair much better than the regions that refused such programs.

We have progressed enough as a civilization that we can absolutely change our destructive ways. “My great grand pappy mined these hills, why shouldn’t I” isn’t a viable excuse these days.