The Dark Side Of Coal: Pollution's Stubborn Legacy

Coal is a major contributor to local pollution and climate change, accounting for 44% of global CO2 emissions. Burning coal releases harmful substances that contribute to air pollution, acid rain, and greenhouse gas emissions. Coal-fired power plants release carbon dioxide, mercury, and other emissions that can harm human health. Coal plants are responsible for 42% of US mercury emissions, which can damage the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, and seriously threaten child development. The combustion of coal also releases sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates, which have been linked to respiratory illnesses, smog, and lung disease. In addition, coal mining can have devastating effects on local communities and the environment, including the destruction of mountains and the pollution of rivers and groundwater. While there are technologies and policies that can help reduce coal pollution and phase out coal, it is challenging due to economic, social, and technical factors.

Coal-fired power plants emit harmful substances that cause air pollution, acid rain, and global warming

Air pollution from coal-fired power plants is linked with asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems, and other severe health impacts. The pollutants emitted by coal plants include sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic. These pollutants have been linked to respiratory illnesses, lung disease, and developmental damage in humans and other animals.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a major contributor to acid rain, which damages crops, ecosystems, and water bodies. In 2014, US coal power plants emitted over 3.1 million tons of SO2. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) contribute to smog and irritate the lungs, making people more susceptible to respiratory diseases. Particulate matter, or soot, is linked to chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma, cardiovascular effects, and premature death.

Coal-fired power plants also contribute significantly to global warming through their emissions of heat-trapping gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 is the primary greenhouse gas produced from burning fossil fuels, and coal combustion releases nearly 4 grams of CO2 for every gram of carbon burnt. Methane (CH4) is also released during coal mining activities and is even more potent than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere. These emissions contribute to rising temperatures, sea level rise, drought, heat waves, intensified storms, and species loss.

While carbon capture and storage technologies (CCS) are emerging as potential solutions, they remain expensive and unproven at the scale needed to address climate change. Therefore, coal-fired power plants continue to emit harmful substances that contribute to air pollution, acid rain, and global warming.

Coal is the leading cause of mercury pollution, threatening public health and the environment

After being released into the atmosphere, mercury contaminates land, oceans, and streams, where it is converted into methylmercury, a harmful toxic substance that can accumulate in our food and, eventually, in our bodies. As a result, all fish from U.S. waters have detectable levels of mercury, and there are consumption advisories in all fifty states. The effects of mercury exposure are severe and include neurological and cardiovascular damage, endocrine disruption, diabetes risk, and compromised immune function. For pregnant women, mercury exposure can lead to neurocognitive problems in their children, and there is no known safe level of mercury exposure below which these effects do not occur.

In the United States, coal-fired power plants are the largest source of mercury pollution, accounting for approximately 8,800 pounds of mercury emissions in 2017 alone. The highest-emitting plants are concentrated in North Dakota and Texas, with other large polluters in Appalachia and the Midwest. Lignite, or "low-rank," coal is especially high in mercury pollution. While lignite coal accounted for only eight percent of U.S. coal production in 2019, the top six mercury-emitting plants burn lignite coal due to a loophole in the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. This "lignite loophole" allows lignite plants to emit more than three times the mercury pollution of other coal plants.

Reducing mercury pollution from coal-fired power plants is crucial for protecting public health and the environment. While the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards implemented by the EPA in 2012 have helped reduce mercury pollution, stronger safeguards are needed. Closing the lignite loophole and implementing stricter standards for all coal-fired power plants can significantly reduce mercury emissions and mitigate the harmful effects of mercury pollution on human health and the environment.

Coal mining has devastating effects on communities, including environmental damage and health issues

Coal mining has devastating effects on communities and the environment. Surface mining, also known as strip mining, involves removing layers of soil and rock to expose underground coal deposits. This process often requires clearing forests and stripping away the earth, leaving behind desolate lands incapable of supporting wildlife. Mountaintop removal is an extremely destructive form of surface mining that uses explosives to blast off the mountaintop. This technique alters the landscape and can bury headwater streams, causing irreversible losses in wildlife habitat, clean water sources, and natural benefits such as nutrient regulation and flood control.

The environmental consequences of coal mining extend beyond the physical landscape. The water draining from these mining sites may contain pollutants that are harmful to aquatic life. Additionally, the excessive logging and removal of vegetation during the mining process can accelerate erosion. Without vegetation to anchor the soil, precipitation can cause topsoil to be washed away into nearby waterways, clogging streams and further disrupting aquatic habitats.

Another serious issue arising from coal mining is acid mine drainage (AMD). AMD occurs when water reacts with sulfur-bearing minerals in rocks, resulting in highly acidic water containing toxic heavy metals. This contaminated water poses severe threats to both wildlife and human communities, rendering the affected waterways unusable for drinking, recreation, and other purposes.

Coal mining also poses threats to biodiversity. The clearing of forests and displacement of wildlife during the mining process can lead to a decline in species diversity and population sizes. Water contamination from coal mining has been linked to deformities and population declines in sensitive fish and bird species. These pollutants can accumulate in the food chain, leading to severe health consequences for higher-level predators, including humans.

The impacts of coal mining highlight the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources. By supporting policies and initiatives that prioritize renewable energy alternatives, we can mitigate the harmful effects of coal mining on the environment and communities.

Coal is a major contributor to climate change, with a high carbon intensity compared to other energy sources

The carbon intensity of coal refers to the amount of CO2 emitted per unit of energy output or heat content. The high carbon intensity of coal is due to its carbon content and the heat produced when carbon combines with oxygen during combustion. Compared to other fuels, such as natural gas, which has a higher energy content, coal produces higher CO2 emissions relative to its energy content.

Coal has been a dominant energy source throughout history, especially during early industrialization in Europe and North America. However, in recent decades, there has been a shift towards other energy sources, such as natural gas, due to economic and environmental factors. The transition away from coal is driven by the development of cleaner and more efficient energy sources, as well as efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

While coal is still a significant contributor to energy production and CO2 emissions, its use is declining in many regions. For example, Europe and North America have diversified their energy mix, leading to a more balanced contribution from coal, oil, and gas. In contrast, Asia, particularly countries like China and India, continue to have high coal consumption and emissions.

Reducing coal pollution and mitigating its environmental and health impacts are important areas of focus. Several technologies and systems, such as carbon capture and storage (CCS), flue-gas desulfurization, and electrostatic precipitators, are being developed and implemented to minimize the negative effects of coal combustion. However, the adoption of these technologies is often dependent on economic viability and the availability of alternative energy sources.

The transition away from coal faces challenges due to economic and policy factors, as well as the longevity of coal power plants

Coal is an abundant and inexpensive energy source, but it is also a major contributor to air pollution, acid rain, and greenhouse gas emissions. The transition away from coal is challenging due to economic, policy, and longevity factors associated with coal power plants.

Economic Factors

The transition away from coal faces economic challenges, particularly regarding the cost of alternative energy sources and the financial viability of coal-dependent communities. Natural gas and renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, have become more cost-competitive with coal, but existing infrastructure and investments in coal-fired power plants make a rapid transition challenging. Additionally, coal-producing regions may lack the resources needed to protect workers, remediate impacted lands, and capitalise on new economic opportunities.

Policy Factors

Policy and regulatory factors also play a role in the transition away from coal. Government policies and regulations can influence the adoption of new energy sources and the retirement of coal-fired power plants. For example, the US Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act aim to reduce pollutants released into the air and water, impacting coal-fired power plants. However, the implementation and enforcement of such policies can vary, and the transition away from coal may be hampered by conflicting priorities, such as energy security and economic development.

Longevity of Coal Power Plants

The longevity of coal power plants and associated infrastructure is another challenge. Coal-fired power plants have long operational lives, and the process of decommissioning and replacing them with alternative energy sources can be complex and time-consuming. Additionally, the social and cultural dependence on coal in certain regions, including job creation and community development, can slow down the transition away from coal.

Technological Factors

Finally, the transition away from coal is also influenced by technological factors. While there are technologies available to mitigate coal pollution, such as carbon capture and storage (CCS), these technologies have faced challenges in terms of economic viability and implementation. The success of CCS and other mitigation technologies depends on various factors, including the type of coal, the age of power plants, and the availability of alternative energy sources.

Frequently asked questions