The Basics of Coal

Coal is a fossil fuel formed from ancient plants that were buried and compressed under heat and pressure over millions of years. It is extracted through two main methods: 

1. Surface Mining- stripping away soil and rock to expose coal seams. Mountaintop removal is a subset of this process. It consists of using explosives to blast off the tops of mountains to display coal.
2. Underground Mining- tunneling deep into the Earth to reach coal deposits. This is harmful mostly for miners as it consists of incredibly dangerous conditions.

Once mined, coal is transported to power plants where it is burned to produce heat, generate steam, turn turbines, and eventually create electricity.

Source: Dreamstime

The Hidden Costs of Coal

Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel. When burned it releases more carbon dioxide per unit of energy than oil or natural gas. The consequences are severe:

1. Climate Change- Coal combustion is responsible for about 40% of global carbon dioxide emissions from energy, making it the largest single contributor to global warming.
2. Air Pollution- Burning coal releases sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury, and particulate matter. These pollutants cause smog, acid rain, and serious health problems.
3. Environmental Degradation- The coal extraction process takes a major toll on the environment. Specifically, mountaintop removal eliminates entire habitats. This process consists mostly in the Appalachian Mountains, where companies assume the environment will return to “normal” after the extraction.

Communities on the Frontline

Mining towns usually experience contaminated water, deforestation, and health issues. Communities in the Appalachia are subsequent to poverty and poor living conditions. Families living near coal-fired power plants are exposed to toxic air pollution daily and coal miners face fatal diseases such as black lungs and coal dust.

Source: Grist 

The Path Ahead