Language
Country/Area
No result found
The Dark Legend of Coal: Why Does This Ancient Fuel Still Dominate Global Electricity Production?
The use of coal remains widespread in modern society, and this ancient fuel plays an indispensable role in global electricity production. Although people's reliance on coal seems to have changed with the development of renewable energy technologies, in fact, the value of coal cannot be completely ignored.
Coal remains the world's largest source of electricity production, supplying nearly 38% of global electricity.
The history of coal can be traced back thousands of years. Starting from the first fire lit by ancient humans, coal, as an energy source that can drive the progress of civilization, has achieved many industrial revolutions. However, as environmental awareness grows, coal is blamed for climate change, making its future uncertain.
Types and sources of coal
Coal is a combustible black or dark brown sedimentary rock that comes in many different types. According to different compositions and formation processes, coal can be divided into anthracite, coking coal and lignite. These types of coal are commonly used for power generation, heating and industrial purposes.
The environmental and health impacts of coal extraction and combustion cannot be ignored.
For example, anthracite is a type of coal with a high carbon content that produces almost no smoke when burned, making it suitable for use in cities. Coking coal is mainly used for metal refining. However, the mining of these coals also brings many environmental problems, such as mountain collapse and water pollution.
The economic advantages of coal
Coal is widely used not only because of its abundant resources, but also because of its economic benefits. Coal is relatively cheap to purchase and transport compared to other forms of energy, giving it a competitive advantage in the power generation industry.
In many regions, due to the stability of coal prices, many power plants still choose coal as the main fuel.
According to reports, about half of the world's electricity comes from coal. Even in the face of increasingly oppressive environmental regulations, coal's status remains unshakable. As global electricity demand grows, demand for coal remains high in both developing and developed countries.
Coal and environmental issues
However, the use of coal comes with huge environmental costs. The burning process of coal releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, as well as other harmful substances such as sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides, which have an impact on air quality. This has forced many countries to consider phasing out the use of coal.
Globally, the use of coal fuel is one of the leading causes of air pollution.
For many areas with serious air pollution, the burning of coal has made the air quality of cities worse and worse, posing a greater threat to human health and ecological systems.
Future Outlook
With the advancement of renewable energy technology, the rise of alternative energy sources such as solar energy and wind energy has also brought challenges to the future of coal. Many governments are beginning to formulate policies to promote the energy transition and use greener forms of energy. However, coal's reserves and cost still make it difficult to completely replace it in the short term.
In the process of global energy transformation, the role of coal has become increasingly contradictory. How should we find a balance between meeting energy needs and promoting environmental protection?
The dark legend of coal continues, and it cannot help but be noticed. In the face of the ever-changing global energy landscape, how will coal change its destiny?
