Throughout history, coal has been a useful resource. It is primarily burned for the production of electricity and/or heat, and is also used for industrial purposes such as refining metals
Coal is the largest source of energy for the generation of electricity worldwide, as well as one of the largest worldwide sources of carbon dioxide releases. Gross carbon dioxide emissions from coal usage are slightly more than those from petroleum and about double the amount from natural gas. Coal-fired electric power generation emits around 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide for every megawatt hour generated, which almost double the carbon dioxide released by a natural gas-fired electric plant per megawatt hour generated. Eventually we will run out of coal as its is made over millions of years and we are using it faster than mother nature can provide it.
Coal is the largest source of energy for the generation of electricity worldwide, as well as one of the largest worldwide sources of carbon dioxide releases. Gross carbon dioxide emissions from coal usage are slightly more than those from petroleum and about double the amount from natural gas. Coal-fired electric power generation emits around 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide for every megawatt hour generated, which almost double the carbon dioxide released by a natural gas-fired electric plant per megawatt hour generated. Eventually we will run out of coal as its is made over millions of years and we are using it faster than mother nature can provide it.