Drawbacks of Coal Energy

Coal pollutes the environment more than any other fuel.

Coal is the fossil fuel responsible for emitting the most pollutants. Although it has been used for hundreds of years, governments are now aware that they need to reduce coal usage in order to protect human health and the environment.

Harmful Waste

Burning coal produces a long list of harmful waste products, including carbon dioxide, sulphuric acid, sulphur dioxide, arsenic, nitrogen oxide and ash. According to Fossil Fuel Resources, burning coal generates 65 percent of carbon dioxide in the air, and in heat production produces twice as much carbon dioxide as natural gas. Coal-powered electricity stations are also thought responsible for acid rain in some areas.

Limited Resource

Coal stocks are limited and Fossil Fuel Resources estimate that if coal burning proceeds at the same pace as at the beginning of the 21st century, global stocks will be entirely depleted by the next millennium.

Human Cost

One significant disadvantage of using coal is its cost in human lives. Mining is a potentially dangerous occupation, not just in terms of fatalities, but also in long-term health problems suffered by miners.

References

• Energy Resources: Fossil Fuels
• Fossil Fuel Resources: The Disadvantages of Coal