Coal is a key contributor to the world’s most pressing environmental issue: global warming. The carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions generated by burning coal are believed to be the primary cause of man-made climate change, as scientific research shows that it is a greenhouse gas responsible for trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. While coal’s role in powering the world’s industrialization and economic growth is undeniable, its devastating effects on the environment can no longer be ignored.
These effects can be seen in rising global temperatures, with the last two decades being the warmest on record. This is linked to the over 8 billion tons of coal burned annually, releasing over 10 billion tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. These emissions are causing the Earth’s average temperature to increase at an alarming rate, with dire consequences for the future. In some areas, temperatures have increased by up to 0.5°C in the past decade and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that the Earth’s temperature could rise by another 0.5°C by the end of the century if emissions continue at their current rate.
Increased temperatures are resulting in extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts and wild fires, that cause damage to the environment, including soil erosion and loss of agricultural land. Sea levels are also rising due to the melting of glaciers, which can cause devastating coastal flooding and disrupt transport infrastructure. The IPCC estimates that these effects could cost the global economy up to $54 trillion by 2100.
In addition to the environmental and economic damage, the health of millions of people is affected by air pollution from coal-fired power plants. Fine particulates from the burning of coal are a major source of air pollution, putting people at greater risk of respiratory tract infections, asthma and other serious health issues.
The effects of burning coal are therefore far-reaching and concern us all. However, coal is still an important source of energy for many countries and reducing its use is challenging, as fossil fuels remain cheaper than renewable sources of energy and lack of access to alternative technologies can make switching to renewable sources difficult.
That said, there are some promising signs. The use of coal is decreasing, as clean energy sources such as solar and wind power become cheaper and more readily available, and investments in energy efficiency are on the rise. Governments are also introducing policies to reduce emissions, such as the Paris Climate Agreement, which sets a target of keeping global temperatures below 2°C.
To further reduce emissions and to protect the environment, it is clear that governments must continue to invest in renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, as well as provide assistance to those countries lacking the necessary technology or resources to switch from coal to cleaner sources of energy. In addition, the public must become aware of the dangers of burning coal and the environmental consequences of their decisions.
It is no longer possible to ignore the damaging impacts of burning coal, as its effects on the environment and public health become increasingly clear. Cities, states and countries need to take swift action to reduce their reliance on coal and switch to cleaner energy sources if we are to prevent the further deterioration of our planet.
