Meghan Hodges
Coal is a fossil fuel that is abundant and inexpensive to produce. It is also the most polluting fossil fuel, emitting large amounts of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter when burned. Coal mining and extraction processes also have a significant environmental impact, including the release of toxic runoff into waterways and the removal of mountain tops, which can harm aquatic wildlife and alter landscapes. While efforts have been made to reduce coal's environmental impact, such as carbon capture technology and the development of alternative fuels, coal continues to be a major contributor to global warming and climate change.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Coal's contribution to global electricity generation | Over one-third |
| Coal's role in industries | Crucial for iron and steel |
| Coal's status as a fossil fuel | Yes |
| Coal's status as the most polluting fossil fuel | Yes, it is the dirtiest fossil fuel and the most carbon-intensive |
| Coal's impact on the environment | Coal mining operations contaminate water bodies and change the landscape. Coal-fired power plants release harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming and climate change. |
| Coal's death rates | 99.8% higher than nuclear energy per terawatt-hour |
| Coal's carbon dioxide emissions | The highest per unit of energy among fossil fuels |
| Coal's mercury emissions | Technologies are being developed to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants |
| Global coal use | Rebounded strongly after a pandemic-induced plunge, reaching a record high of 8.77 billion tonnes in 2024 |
| Coal plant closures | Governments should address potential energy security concerns arising from coal plant closures |
| Alternatives to coal | Ammonia, a fuel that doesn't emit CO2 when burned |
| Carbon capture technology | Implemented in some large-scale coal plants to capture and store carbon dioxide |
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What You'll Learn
Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has found that emissions from fossil fuels are the dominant cause of global warming. In 2018, 89% of global CO2 emissions came from fossil fuels and industry, with coal being the single largest source of global temperature rise, responsible for over 0.3C of the 1C increase in global average temperatures.
Coal mining and extraction processes also have a devastating impact on the environment and local ecosystems. Surface mines, or strip mines, were the source of about 63% of the coal mined in the United States in 2022. These operations remove the soil and rock above coal deposits, often changing the landscape and endangering wildlife. Mountaintop removal and valley fill mining have affected large areas of the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia and Kentucky. This type of coal extraction involves removing the tops of mountains with explosives, and the water draining from these filled valleys may contain pollutants that can harm aquatic life downstream.
The burning of coal releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that traps heat in our atmosphere, causing global warming. Coal-fired power plants emit nearly two billion tons of CO2 each year in the United States alone, and this amount could rise by a third in the next two decades. While technologies such as carbon capture and syngas processing can help reduce emissions, the challenge of capturing all the carbon dioxide from traditional coal-burning stations remains a significant hurdle.
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Coal mining's environmental impact
Coal is a solid, carbon-heavy rock that comes in four main varieties: lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, and anthracite. It is a fossil fuel and is the most carbon-intensive of all fossil fuels when burned. In 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that emissions from fossil fuels are the dominant cause of global warming, with 89% of global CO2 emissions emanating from fossil fuels and industry. Of all fossil fuels, coal produces the most carbon dioxide per unit of energy, and it is the single largest contributor to the rise in global temperatures. Coal-fired power plants emit nearly two billion tons of carbon dioxide each year, and this figure could rise by a third within the next two decades.
Coal mining has a significant environmental impact. Surface mines, also known as strip mines, were the source of about 63% of the coal mined in the United States in 2022. These mining operations involve removing the soil and rock above coal deposits, often resulting in the destruction of landscapes and ecosystems. Mountaintop removal and valley fill mining have affected large areas of the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia and Kentucky. This type of coal extraction involves removing the tops of mountains with explosives, changing the landscape and polluting waterways. The water draining from these filled valleys may contain pollutants that can harm aquatic wildlife downstream.
Mining operations also generate toxic airborne particulate matter, which can have serious health impacts on miners and nearby communities. Strip mining can release large stores of carbon held naturally in the wild, contributing to global warming. Additionally, coal mining operations produce enormous volumes of wastewater, which can be contaminated with heavy metals, radioactive materials, and other pollutants. Improper storage and disposal of this wastewater can lead to the contamination of drinking water sources and freshwater or ocean ecosystems.
To mitigate the environmental impact of coal mining, governments and industries have implemented several measures. The Clean Air Act and The Clean Water Act require industries to reduce pollutants released into the air and water. The coal industry has developed methods to reduce impurities in coal and improve cleaning processes. Power plants use flue gas desulfurization equipment (scrubbers) to clean sulfur and other pollutants from smoke before it is released into the atmosphere. Carbon capture technology is also being explored as a way to separate and sequester CO2 from emissions, although it is not yet widely implemented due to energy loss concerns.
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Coal's contribution to global warming
Coal is a solid, carbon-heavy rock that comes in four main varieties: lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, and anthracite. It is a fossil fuel, and is the most carbon-intensive of all fossil fuels. In 2018, 89% of global CO2 emissions came from fossil fuels and industry, with coal being responsible for over 0.3C of the 1C increase in global average temperatures. This makes it the single largest source of global temperature rise.
The burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap heat in our atmosphere, causing global warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has found that emissions from fossil fuels are the dominant cause of global warming.
Coal is responsible for a significant amount of global carbon emissions. In 2024, global coal use rose to an estimated 8.77 billion tonnes, a record. China consumes 30% more coal than the rest of the world combined. However, demand is expected to level off due to the expansion of renewables and strong growth in electricity demand. In the US, coal plants emit nearly two billion tons of carbon dioxide each year, and this amount could rise by a third within the next two decades.
Coal mining also has a significant environmental impact. Mining operations can wash toxic runoff into streams, rivers, and lakes, and dump vast quantities of unwanted rock and soil into streams. Mountaintop removal and valley fill mining have affected large areas of the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia and Kentucky. This type of coal extraction involves removing the tops of mountains with explosives, changing the landscape. The water draining from these filled valleys may contain pollutants that can harm aquatic wildlife downstream.
To reduce the environmental impact of coal, governments and industries have implemented several measures. The Clean Air Act and The Clean Water Act require industries to reduce pollutants released into the air and water. The coal industry has found ways to reduce sulfur and other impurities from coal, and to clean coal after it is mined. Power plants use flue gas desulfurization equipment, or "scrubbers", to clean sulfur from smoke before it leaves their smokestacks. Additionally, carbon capture technology can separate CO2 from emissions sources and store it underground.
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Coal's health impact
Coal is the most polluting fossil fuel in terms of emissions and is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel that can be burned. It is also the largest contributor to the human-made increase of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere. Coal-fired power plants emit carbon dioxide, mercury, and nitrogen oxide, which can cause early deaths and health issues such as respiratory and cardiovascular disease, systemic inflammation, and neurodegeneration.
The production and use of coal also affect the environment. Coal mining operations wash toxic runoff into streams, rivers, and lakes, and dump vast amounts of unwanted rock and soil into streams, which can contaminate drinking water sources and harm aquatic wildlife. Strip mining, for example, removes the soil and rock above coal deposits, changing the landscape and causing streams to be covered with rock and dirt.
The burning of coal also emits toxic and carcinogenic substances into the air, water, and land, severely affecting the health of miners, workers, and surrounding communities. A report by the World Health Organization in 2008 estimated that coal particulates pollution shortens approximately 10,000 lives annually worldwide. More recent studies have placed this number at 24,000 and 52,000 lives lost each year in the United States alone. In China, 366,000 deaths were attributed to coal in 2013, and in India, coal kills about 169,000 people annually.
In addition to the direct health impacts of coal use, climate change caused by coal emissions poses a serious health threat. As extreme heat events worsen, the risk of adverse health impacts and pressure on health services increases.
While efforts have been made to reduce the pollutants released by the coal industry, such as the use of scrubbers to clean sulfur from smoke, the overwhelming majority of scientists agree that there can be no more coal mines if we are to mitigate climate change and its associated health risks.
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Alternatives to coal
Coal is a major contributor to local pollution and climate change, accounting for 44% of global CO2 emissions. It is also responsible for the emission of harmful substances such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, and mercury.
The good news is that there are several alternatives to coal that are cleaner and more sustainable. Here are some alternatives that can help reduce our dependence on coal:
Natural Gas
While still a fossil fuel, natural gas is a cleaner alternative that can serve as a bridge fuel in the transition to greener energy sources. Burning natural gas releases about half the greenhouse gases compared to burning coal, making it a viable option to reduce carbon emissions in the short term.
Renewable Energy Sources
Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal power are sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. These sources are clean, renewable, and do not produce direct emissions. Solar power currently generates about 4-5% of the world's electricity, while wind energy contributes to nearly 8%. Hydropower is also reliable and perfect for large-scale power generation, offering additional benefits like flood control and water management.
Ammonia
Ammonia is an alternative fuel that does not emit CO2 when burned, making it a potential option to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants.
Carbon Capture and Storage
Carbon capture technology separates CO2 from emissions sources and stores it underground, providing a way to continue using coal while reducing the environmental impact. China has already begun implementing this technology in some of its coal-fired power plants.
Policy Changes and Financial Assistance
Stricter environmental policies, carbon taxes, and affordable energy substitutes can also help reduce coal dependence. For example, carbon pricing schemes and government subsidies for renewable energy sources have proven effective in the UK and Spain, respectively. Additionally, financial and technical assistance from the international community can support emerging markets and low-income countries in their transition to cleaner energy sources.
By implementing these alternatives and continuing to innovate, we can work towards a greener future and reduce the environmental and health impacts of coal and other fossil fuels.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, coal is the most polluting fossil fuel. It emits much more greenhouse gas than other sources, and is responsible for over 0.3 °C of the 1 °C increase in global average temperatures.
Coal mining operations wash toxic runoff into streams, rivers, and lakes, and dump vast quantities of unwanted rock and soil into streams. Coal mining also changes the landscape, and the water draining from these mines may contain pollutants that can harm aquatic wildlife downstream.
Scientists are working on new ways to reduce emissions from coal-burning power plants. One method is carbon capture, which separates CO2 from emissions sources and recovers it in a concentrated stream. The CO2 can then be injected underground for permanent storage.
