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What Are the Two Disadvantages of Coal?

With society increasingly dependent on technology, demand for the energy to fuel it is constantly rising, as is the need to explore and evaluate all energy sources. Compared to other fossil fuels such as natural gas and oil, coal is available in great quantity and, as of September 2010, powered 40 percent of the world's electricity. Some observers predict the rate of coal consumption will continue to rise, but coal is still a nonrenewable resource whose recovery and usage pose threats to public health and the environment.

  1. Nonrenewable Resource

    • True, coal is present in greater quantities than oil and natural gas. In fact, the United States possesses the largest coal reserves of any country. But coal is still a nonrenewable resource. Coal can be burned only once, and neither nature nor technology can readily produce more coal. Also, not all coal is available in the quality appropriate for energy purposes, and much of these vast supplies are unattainable or costly to recover.

    Environmental Threat

    • Not only does coal mining scar the landscape and disrupt the homes of local people and wildlife, but it also produces significant pollution. Burning coal produces twice as much carbon dioxide as natural gas. As a greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide may add to global warming. Other pollutants emitted by coal burning include nitrogen oxides, sulfuric acids, arsenic, ash and sulfur dioxide, which may cause acid rain in some locations.

    Mine Worker Peril

    • Mine workers face threats every day on a job that is considered one of the most dangerous in the world. Besides the day-to-day wear of manual labor and the threat of mine collapse, explosion and other dangers, coal miners also may inhale dangerous amounts of coal dust, which can lead to lung problems like black lung disease and emphysema.

    Impractical

    • Unlike natural gas, which can be piped to its intended recipient, coal is solid and bulky and must be delivered by truck or train in great quantities. This adds to production costs as well as pollution because these trucks and trains themselves require maintenance, burn fuel and produce their own polluting emissions. Because power plants consume coal in great quantities, they also must store it in great quantities, which is an unsightly and sometimes costly waste of real estate.

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