Coal is one of the most abundant resources on the planet. There are over 1 trillion tons of proven coal reserves worldwide (Thurber 35). It is classified as an organic sediment rock, and it takes millions of years to form (Kopp). Found under multiple layers of earth, it is created from various plants affected by compression and heat. It stores the energy from those plants, which is released when burning (Kopp). This material was chosen because of its iniquitousness and continuous use throughout the world’s history, its past and present economic impact, and the critical role it plays in societies worldwide.
It is difficult to tell when coal was first discovered. The collection of surface coal to use for fuel began with the rise of ancient civilizations, if not earlier. The first recorded use of coal as a means of heating up a dwelling comes from China, around 3,500 years BC (Thurber 17). The roots of the word “coal” in the English language can be traced back to Old English, and from it – to the proto-Indo-European origin. The initial word, “geulo,” is reminiscent not only of the English word “coal,” but also of the proto-Germanic “kulan,” old Frisian “kole,” and Dutch “kool” (Thurber 18). Such a continuation testifies to the concept of the material being known to humankind for an incredibly long time.
Coal has played a massive economic role in society throughout humanity’s history. In the early ages, coal was primarily used in smithing and smelting metal ores (Kopp). Coal has a higher burning temperature than wood, burns more cleanly, and can maintain the necessary temperature for much longer periods of time. These effects made coal instrumental in the production of high-quality metals, ranging from bronze to steel (Thurber 71). With the invention of the steam engine, coal became the primary resource for locomotion. Engines for trains, ships, and factories required coal to function. Countries that had ready access to coal deposits rose to the forefront of the society (Thurber 72). European nations, which were naturally rich in coal, used their technological advances to expand to other continents, including Africa, Asia, and the Americas (Kopp). The presence of coal, thus, led to their economic, military, and political domination.
When the internal combustion engine was invented, coal lost its importance as a fuel source for engines. However, it is still widely coveted as a fuel source for thermal electric plants, which provide both heating and electricity to many countries around the world (Soutik). The burning of coal releases plenty of carbon dioxides, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxides into the atmosphere, which causes damage to the environment in the form of acid rains. The particles released in the process are also forming clouds of smog, which pollutes the air and causes lung and skin diseases (Thurber 153). Although the harm from such activities is widely recognized by the international community, many countries do not have the option to stop relying on coal for their basic needs, such as electricity and heat. China and India are the biggest users of coal as a fuel source (Soutik). Until these countries are able to modernize enough to shake off their coal dependence, it will continue to be an environmentally-unfriendly but reliable source of energy for humankind.
Works Cited
Kopp, Otto C. “Coal.” Brittanica.
Soutik, Biswas. “Coal Shortage and Heatwave Spark India’s Power Woes.” BBC News, 2022.
Thurber, Mark C. Coal. John Wiley & Sons, 2019.