Rylee Qualseth 11-26-13 7th-8th Hr.

Coal Coal should not be used as an energy source because it is nonrenewable source of energy; it pollutes the air, and is very dangerous in order to produce energy. This must change very soon or the world will run out of energy. Today, coal generates over half of the electricity in the United States. Worldwide, proven reserves of coal are about 909 billion metric tons. Many Americans say that coal is abundant, and is a consistence source of energy. Coal is abundant but not for much longer. The world supply of col is only going to last another 155 years and it will take 22 million years for new coal to be created. This is why coal is a non-renewable source of energy. Think, almost everything we do uses energy, from going to school, using the restroom, or even keeping the lights on. We use energy frequently and we are running out! Not all of resources are recoverable using current technology said the Worlds Coal Association. Coal presents a serious threat to the safety of a community and the air quality is becoming more of an issue. In fact 67% of the worlds air toxins are from the burning of coal. Burning fuels also produces greenhouse gases including a large number of carbon dioxide. Coal combustion releases mercury and dozens of other substances known to affect human heal severely. This can lead to three major body organ systems: the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, and the nervous system. Many people are saying the wastes are being contained or there is no real threat being presented to the environment. All of these statements are false. In fact coal is a main contributor to global warming because it produces carbon when it is burned. Coal is a dangerous energy source to the human body.

Coal is also dangerous to mine in the first place there was more than 13,200 in 2010 alone. Most of the deaths caused by coal today are in developing countries, especially China. Chinas coal mines are the worlds deadliest killing on average thirteen miners a day. The tradeoff is that china supplies 35% of the worlds coal. Many people have been saying that coal is a needed source of energy and coal use is supplying thousands of jobs. So really what they are saying is they are willing to risk thousands of peoples lives are at risk for accidents, suffocation, and a reoccurring problem black lungs. Every day a miner goes to work knowing that they might not ever see their family again. We are putting thousands of American citizens lives at risk every day just so we can turn on the lights. Why not save those lives and the environment and convert to a renewable source of energy. Coal is a cheap source of energy; yes coal is a cheap source of energy, although the price of gas was cheap, and then became higher and higher now to the point that if you want to fill up your tank it could cost you anywhere from $60-$70. As soon as coal becomes scarcer the prices of coal will skyrocket because 50% of the US depends on the burning of coal as their energy resource. Not only do miners not know if they will ever see their family again they could come home with black lung, injured, or possibly one of the only survivors left after an explosion. The ways that people have come up with to keep the dust out of miners lungs, respirators, make it harder to breathe while they are working because of all of the cotton filtering the air. One day at work as a coal miner wearing a respirator would be like running a marathon with a thick sock covering your nose and mouth. It is hard to just wear them on top of that they are slaving away all day wearing one in their field is nearly impossible. Coal usage is above where it should be and that needs to change in order for the world to have a bright future. Coal is non-renewable, polluting, and dangerous, and therefore should not be used as an energy source.

Bibliography

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