The Dark Side Of Coal: Powering The World, Polluting The Planet

Despite the well-known environmental and health risks associated with coal use, it continues to be a significant source of energy worldwide. In 2022, coal accounted for about 19% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions and 55% of total CO2 emissions from the electric power sector. Globally, coal use is rising, especially in developing economies, where it remains a cheap and widely available energy source. While coal has been a reliable energy source, its environmental and health costs are significant, with air pollution from coal-fired power plants contributing to asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, neurological problems, and even premature death. As the world transitions to cleaner energy sources, addressing the continued reliance on coal in developing countries and finding economically competitive alternatives will be crucial to mitigating climate change and improving public health.

Coal is cheap, widely available, and easy to transport and store

Coal is cheap, and its cost is often the primary factor in its continued use. However, this fails to account for the significant health and environmental costs associated with coal. For example, in Australia, coal's health impacts cost taxpayers an estimated $2.4 billion every year. Worldwide, exposure to air pollution caused 4.2 million deaths in 2020, with 35% of these being directly related to the burning of fossil fuels.

Coal is also abundant and widely available around the world. It is a mainstay for industrial uses and electricity generation, with about 38% of global electricity derived from coal. Many industrial players benefit from coal, including coal companies, power companies, railways that ship coal, and manufacturers of steel, cement, and aluminum.

Coal is also relatively simple to transport and store. This ease of transportation and storage further enables its widespread use. However, the deployment of carbon capture and storage technologies (CCS) could help mitigate the environmental impact of coal plants by capturing and storing CO2 emissions. While a few projects are operating worldwide, this technology remains expensive and unproven at the scale required to address climate change.

Coal is a reliable source of energy, especially in developing economies

Coal is a combustible organic rock composed mainly of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. It is formed from vegetation over millions of years through the combined effects of pressure and heat. The largest coal reserve base is in the United States, with over 260 billion tons. Coal is also abundant in other parts of the world, making it easily accessible to many countries. This abundance leads to lower costs, making coal a more affordable energy option for many economies, especially those in the early stages of industrialization.

Additionally, coal has substantial industrial uses beyond electricity generation. It is essential in the manufacturing of steel, which is crucial for delivering various goods and services that societies need, such as healthcare equipment, telecommunications infrastructure, improved agricultural practices, better transportation networks, and clean water access. Coal is also a significant energy source for cement production, providing around 90% of the energy consumed by cement plants globally. It takes 200-450 kg of coal to produce one ton of cement, highlighting its importance in construction and infrastructure development.

While coal has been a reliable source of energy, it has also faced increasing criticism due to its environmental and health impacts. Coal-fired power plants contribute to air pollution, releasing toxic pollutants and heavy metals that have been linked to respiratory illnesses, heart and lung disease, asthma, cancer, and neurological problems. The burning of coal is a significant driver of global warming, with carbon dioxide (CO2) as the primary greenhouse gas produced. However, it's important to note that efforts are being made to reduce these emissions and develop cleaner coal technologies.

In summary, coal remains a reliable source of energy, especially in developing economies, due to its abundance, affordability, and diverse industrial applications. However, the transition to cleaner energy sources is essential to mitigate the environmental and health impacts associated with coal use.

Coal extraction techniques can cause landscape changes and water pollution

Underground mines generally affect the landscape less than surface mines, but the ground above mine tunnels can collapse, and acidic water can drain from abandoned mines. In addition, the methane gas that occurs in coal deposits can explode if it becomes concentrated in underground mines. Coalbed methane must be vented out of mines to make them safer, but methane emissions from active and abandoned coal mines accounted for about 7% of total US methane emissions and about 1% of total US greenhouse gas emissions in 2021.

The environmental challenges from coal mining include coal mine accidents, land subsidence, damage to the water environment, mining waste disposal, and air pollution. Coal gangue, a by-product of coal mining and washing, is increasing with the growing trend of energy consumption. The vegetation cover in mining areas changes both spatially and temporally, and the dynamics of these changes are necessary for mining regulation and environmental sustainability assessment.

Water pollution is also a significant issue in coal extraction. The process of acid mine drainage occurs when certain substances, typically iron sulfide, are oxidized after being exposed to air and water. This highly acidic water, containing heavy metals like arsenic, copper, and lead, can contaminate nearby rivers, lakes, and aquifers. Another issue is "thermal pollution," where "once-through" coal plants pump water directly from a source, heat it up, and then discharge it back, increasing the water temperature and decreasing fertility and increasing heart rates in fish.

Coal-fired power plants are a major source of harmful air pollution

• Sulfur dioxide: This is produced when the sulfur in coal reacts with oxygen, forming small, acidic particulates that can penetrate human lungs. It is linked to asthma, bronchitis, smog, and acid rain, which damages crops and other ecosystems and acidifies lakes and streams.
• Nitrogen oxides: These contribute to smog and irritate lung tissue, exacerbating asthma and making people more susceptible to respiratory diseases like pneumonia and influenza.
• Particulate matter: Also known as "soot", this ashy grey substance in coal smoke is linked to chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma, cardiovascular issues like heart attacks, and premature death.
• Carbon monoxide: This causes headaches and places additional stress on those with heart disease.
• Volatile organic compounds: These form ozone and contribute to smog.
• Heavy metals: These include mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic, which have been linked to neurological and developmental issues, as well as an increased risk of cancer.
• Carbon dioxide: This is the primary greenhouse gas produced from burning fossil fuels, contributing to global warming and climate change.

The health impacts of coal pollution are significant. In the United States, coal-related deaths are recorded at 50,000 each year, with air pollution from coal-fired power plants contributing to heart disease, cancer, stroke, and respiratory diseases. Worldwide, exposure to air pollution contributed to 4.2 million deaths in 2020, with 35% of those directly related to the burning of fossil fuels. The economic and health costs associated with burning fossil fuels are immense, with an estimated reduction in average life expectancy by more than a year.

While some pollution controls and carbon capture technologies are being developed and implemented, many plants still lack adequate controls. The decline in mortality rates over time does highlight the success of emissions reductions, but more targeted policies are needed to address the health impacts of coal-fired power plants specifically.

Coal is linked to severe health impacts, including asthma, cancer, and heart disease

Coal is a major source of air pollution and is linked to a range of severe health issues. The process of burning coal releases toxic airborne pollutants and heavy metals into the environment, which have been linked to asthma, cancer, heart disease, and other ailments.

Coal-fired power plants emit harmful substances such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), arsenic, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and carbon dioxide (CO2). These emissions contribute to air pollution and have detrimental effects on human health. For example, arsenic is a toxic substance known to cause cancer, and coal plants are responsible for releasing significant amounts of arsenic into the environment.

Additionally, coal combustion releases toxic and carcinogenic substances, severely impacting the health of miners, workers, and nearby communities. The health consequences of coal pollution include an increased risk of lung cancer, as evident from epidemiologic studies and global statistics. In 2015, ambient air pollution caused approximately 278,290 male lung cancer deaths worldwide. Furthermore, coal-related air pollution contributes to heart disease, stroke, and chronic respiratory diseases, resulting in thousands of deaths annually in countries like the United States, China, and India.

The burning of coal also releases mercury, a toxic heavy metal that can damage the nervous, digestive, and immune systems. Coal plants are major contributors to mercury emissions, with coal-fired power plants being responsible for 42% of mercury emissions in the United States. Mercury emissions, along with other pollutants, have severe environmental and public health impacts, including neurological problems and developmental damage in humans.

While some emissions control technologies exist, such as carbon capture and storage (CCS), many coal plants lack adequate pollution control measures. The implementation of pollution controls and enforcement of emissions limits by regulatory bodies, such as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are crucial to mitigating the health impacts associated with coal-fired power generation.

Frequently asked questions