Clean Coal? Myth or Reality

 For a number of years, "clean coal" was promoted as a way to meet the world's growing energy demands while reducing the negative effects on the environment caused by coal production. To some politicians and the coal business, this word represents an answer to the problems caused by coal usage. The concept is based on the assumption that coal may be utilized in a more environmentally and socially responsible manner. However, using the term "clean coal" to describe this energy source is only a method of diversion to distract from the harmful effects of coal mining, and the term is a myth.

    As a fossil fuel, coal has been put to use for power generation for years. The mining and consumption of coal, however, have devastating effects on both the environment and human health. Coal mining has several negative effects on the environment, including environmental destruction, water pollution, biodiversity loss, and health issues for people and animals that are exposed to regions of coal mining. Several dangerous pollutants are released into the air when coal is burned, mined, and cleaned. “This significant reduction in coal use and the concomitant closure of coal mines and coal-burning power plants will result in substantially cleaner air, reductions in respiratory problems such as asthma, less heart disease, fewer hospitalizations, and other health benefits, as well as a reduction in occupational health problems such as silicosis and Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis (Black Lung Disease).“ (Finkelman, Wolfe, 2021.) Coal mining can have severe negative effects on the health and safety of many individuals. 

The idea of "clean coal" came about as a way to deal with coal's potential harms. Carbon capture and storage were developed to keep carbon dioxide from being released into the environment when coal is burned. This could potentially keep environmental problems such as climate change from developing at high speeds. Even though clean coal could have a lot of benefits, this concept is now both extremely difficult to execute and too expensive to be a widespread method. Carbon capture and storage technologies are still in the research and development stage, with a number of attempts to utilize them having failed due to funding issues.   There is no such thing as completely clean coal. New technological advances might help reduce pollution, but they won't be able to stop it completely. “Continued investments in coal-fired power plants would lock in emissions and impede the implementation of climate measures in the future, as this infrastructure has a lifetime of several decades.” (Michael Jakob, Jan C. Steckel, 2022) Coal mining and burning will always have an effect on the environment and people regardless of what methods are used to obtain it.

In comparison to other energy sources, using coal as a source of energy is not sustainable in the long-term. Extended use of coal may cause irreparable environmental harm. “Critics note that “clean coal” is a misleading term for any of these techniques. Even a coal power plant that emits fewer pollutants is still a far dirtier way to produce electricity than a natural gas, nuclear, wind, or solar plant. ” (Plumer, 2017.) Using sustainable energy sources such as solar and wind energy might be significantly more beneficial. These energy sources are not only more sustainable in the long run than coal, but they are also cleaner than what “clean coal” is explained to be.

In conclusion, the idea of "clean coal" is a myth that is used to divert attention from the harmful effects of coal mining and usage. Clean coal has potential benefits, but it is too costly and ambitious to be used widely. Furthermore, burning coal still releases a variety of pollutants that are bad for both human health and the environment, even with carbon capture and storage. Different sources of renewable energy are far more easily utilized and have much less environmental consequences.

References: 

Finkelman Robert, Wolfe Amy. “The Future Environmental and Health Impacts of Coal.” Energy Geoscience, vol. 2, no. 2, Apr. 2021, pp. 99–112. www-sciencedirect-com.nvcproxy.alamo.edu/science/article/pii/S2666759220300706.

Michael Jakob, Jan C. Steckel. (2022). The Political Economy of Coal : Obstacles to Clean Energy Transitions. Routledge.

Plumer, B. (2017, August 23). What ‘clean coal’ is—and isn’t. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/23/climate/what-clean-coal-is-and-isnt.html