When we think of fossil fuels we generally think first of oil. News about oil and gasoline prices is everywhere. Coal, on the other hand, is not so popular. However, coal should be of more concern for many reasons. Coal is more plentiful than any other fossil fuel, and because of its large resource availability is projected to be the replacement for oil and gas. Coal makes up about 95 percent of America's fossil energy reserves, and nowadays generates more than 50 percent of America’s electricity and 40% Worldwide.

        Coal is by far the "cheapest" source of power fuel per million BTU, averaging less than half the price of petroleum and natural gas. The reason coal gives off more energy is because coal contains more carbon and less hydrogen than other fossil fuels, but as such it also gives off more CO₂ per unit electricity produced than any other fuel.

        All energy resources lead to some environmental impact, but coal is at the top of the list. Burning coal is the largest source of toxic air pollution and a significant cause of global warming. To put things in perspective is important to emphasize that coal-fired power plants produce 96 percent of the utility industry’s sulfur dioxide that causes acid rain, 93 percent of the nitrogen oxide pollution that causes soot and smog, 88 percent of the carbon dioxide pollution that causes global warming, and 99 percent of the toxic mercury that poisons our waters. Some of these pollutants could be greatly reduced (to a certain extent) with modern technologies before they are emitted from a power plant, but removing CO₂ is extremely expensive. Thus, even the cleanest coal is still dirty!

        Energy is essential for any country’s economic growth. Yet while some countries have enjoyed an energy surplus for much the 20th century, this is no longer the case. Despite the vast benefits of electricity from coal and growing concerns about the availability of affordable electricity, I believe coal should be reduced or eliminated from our energy mix. I mean, for what perceived benefit can society sacrifice the health of future generations? The environmental costs do not justify the energy benefits from coal. This much is clear – the laws of nature (laws of thermodynamics) ensure no other outcome is possible: if we continue to contaminate our world, we will suffocate in the toxicity we create. A better alternative is to continue researching new clean-coal technologies, which show promising results in efficiency and reduced emissions.