Coal Phase-Out | Definition, Impacts of Coal, & Benefits of Coal Phase-Out
What Is Coal Phase-Out?
Coal phase-out is an environmental policy that intends to stop the use of coal combustion in coal-burning power plants, and it's one step toward fossil fuel removal.
Coal was responsible for 30% of global CO2 emissions in 2018, with coal-fired power plants considered the single largest contributor to the annual growth in emissions. In 2022, CO2 emissions from coal grew by 1.6%, reaching almost 15.5 gigatonnes.
Considering approximately 30% of the primary energy supply in the G20, an accelerated coal phase-out is necessary for the global energy transition and climate mitigation.
The process of coal phase-out can be complex, and it often requires a replacement fuel such as renewable energy sources. However, the benefits of coal phase-out typically outweigh the challenges.
Impacts of Coal
The negative impacts of coal are well-known and include the following:
Global Warming
Global warming is coal's most serious, long-term impact. Chemically, coal is mostly carbon.
When they are burned, it reacts with oxygen in the air to produce carbon dioxide, a heat-trapping gas. When it is released into the atmosphere, this carbon dioxide operates like a blanket, warming the earth above normal limits.
Air Pollution From Coal-Fired Power Plants
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, an average coal plant (500 megawatts) produces the following amounts of air pollutants on average yearly:
- 10,200 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx), comparable to half a million late-model cars. NOx causes the formation of smog that inflames lung tissue and increases susceptibility to respiratory illness.
- 3.7 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), equivalent to chopping down 161 million trees. CO2 pollution is the main human reason for climate change and global warming.
- 10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2) produces acid rain and forms small airborne particles that can result in lung damage, heart disease, and other illnesses.
- 220 tons of hydrocarbons, which play a part in smog formation.
- 500 tons of small airborne particles that can cause reductions in lung function, bronchitis, increased hospital, and emergency room admissions, and premature death.
- 225 pounds of arsenic, which causes cancer in 1 out of 100 people who drink water containing 50 parts per billion.
- 170 pounds of mercury. 1/70th of a teaspoon of mercury added to a 25-acre lake can make the fish unsafe to eat. Mercury also results in brain damage, learning disabilities, and neurological disorders.
- 4 pounds of cadmium, 114 pounds of lead, and other toxic heavy metals. These toxic metals can compile in human and animal tissue and cause serious health problems, including developmental disorders, mental retardation, and nervous system damage.
- 720 tons of carbon monoxide (C.O.), which places additional stress on people with heart disease and causes headaches.
Solid Waste From Coal-Fired Power Plants
Based on a New York Times analysis of EPA data, power plants are the biggest producer of toxic waste in the U.S., exceeding industries like paint manufacturing, plastic, and chemical plants.
Solid waste that comes from a typical 500MW coal plant consists of 193,000 tons of coal sludge from the smokestack scrubber and 120,000 tons of ash.
More than 75 percent of this waste in the U.S. is disposed of in unlined, unmonitored landfills and surface impoundments and can leak into and contaminate drinking water.
Toxic substances in sludge and ash include mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and chromium.
Thermal Pollution From Coal Plants
Simply, thermal pollution is the degradation of water quality by any process that modifies ambient water temperature.
The most common reason for thermal pollution is water utilization as a coolant by power plants and industrial manufacturers.
When the water utilized as a coolant is returned to the natural environment at a higher temperature, the change in temperature affects organisms by affecting ecosystem composition and decreasing oxygen supply.
Health Problems
The health impacts of coal are wide-ranging. They include lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, respiratory diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis, mercury poisoning, and congenital disabilities.
In addition to the direct effects of these illnesses on sufferers and their families, they also impose a huge economic burden on hospitalization costs, lost productivity, and long-term disability.
Benefits of Phasing Out Coal
Aside from climate mitigation, a coal phase-out could bring considerable benefits, especially for countries that utilize coal to meet significant parts of their energy needs and are exposed to coal trade hazards.
Coal phase-out could also bring about the following:
The Future of Renewable Energy Sources
The future of renewable energy sources is promising. With advances in technology, renewable energy sources are becoming more affordable and efficient.
Additionally, the environmental impacts of renewable energy sources are much lower than those of fossil fuels. As the world is moving away from fossil fuels, it is important to invest in renewable energy sources.
There are many different types of renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal.
Solar energy is one of the most promising renewable energy sources. Solar panels can be utilized to produce electricity or heat water.
Solar panel technology is constantly improving, making solar panels more efficient and less expensive.
Wind energy is another promising renewable energy source. Wind turbines can be utilized to produce electricity or to pump water.
Hydro energy is another type of renewable energy that uses water to generate electricity.
Geothermal energy is a type of renewable energy that uses the heat from the earth to generate electricity.
Renewable energy sources are turning to be more and more popular as the world moves away from fossil fuels. Investing in renewable energy sources is essential so we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and protect the environment.
FAQs
1. What is coal phase-out?
2. What are the benefits of coal phase-out?
There are many benefits associated with coal phase-out, such as climate mitigation, increased public health dividends, reduced risks of stranded assets, and improved energy independence.
3. Why is coal being phased out?
Coal is known to be the largest source of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Because it contributes significantly to global warming, many countries have committed to phasing out coal.
4. What are some of the impacts of coal?
Some of the impacts of coal include air pollution, water pollution, thermal pollution, and health problems.
5. What is the future of renewable energy sources?
The future of renewable energy sources is promising. With advances in technology, renewable energy sources are becoming more affordable and efficient.
Renewable energy sources are turning to be more and more known as the world moves away from fossil fuels. Investing in renewable energy sources is essential so we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and protect the environment.