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Effects of Mining on Global Warming

Mining, along with other methods of extracting resources from the Earth, has a profound effect on global climate change, also known as global warming. From the impact on the Earth itself from mining operations to the effects of transporting coal and other fossil products, mining operations around the world continue to contribute to pollution, the greenhouse effect and the rise in sea levels predicted by experts on climate change.

  1. Mining and Pollution

    • Mining operations, particularly coal mining, release methane gas and other pollutants into the air, contributing to the reduction of the protective ozone layer and the development of the "greenhouse effect" of the Earth warming as the sun's heat is trapped in the Earth's atmosphere. Mining and other extraction processes also disturbs vast stores of carbon held in soil and vegetation, releasing it into the atmosphere as an added source of pollutants.

    Mining and Fossil Fuel Pollution

    • The process of transporting coal, copper, diamonds and other mined substances consumes large amounts of oil and gas, releasing carbon dioxide and other pollutants from these products into the atmosphere. Since mining products must often be transported large distances, the amount of these substances over time makes a significant contribution to global warming.

    Water Mining and Sea Levels

    • Water mining -- the practice of extracting groundwater for agriculture, mining and other operations -- also contributes to global warming and climate change. Pumping non-replenishing groundwater, also called "fossil water," to the surface and moving it to the oceans causes sea levels to rise, jeopardizing coastlines and human habitation in these areas.

    Mining and Weather Patterns

    • Since mining operations contribute to the greenhouse effect and sea level changes, they also indirectly contribute to alterations in weather patterns caused by warming of the Earth and related atmospheric phenomena. New patterns of drought and severe storms can be indirectly attributed to the effects of mining worldwide.

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