The drop in Coal-Based Energy Plants across the world is a crucial aspect of the ongoing shift towards more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy systems. This change is caused by several interrelated factors, including environmental, economic, and social considerations, as well as the growing competitiveness of renewable energy sources.

1. What are the factors causing a decline in coal-based energy
plants?
The drop in coal-based energy plants across the world is a crucial aspect of the
ongoing shift towards more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy
systems. This change is caused by several interrelated factors, including
environmental, economic, and social considerations, as well as the growing
competitiveness of renewable energy sources.
The factors causing a decline in coal-based energy plants are: -
Causes global warming
Global warming is one of the most severe effects of coal, with some power
plants worldwide still contributing to the harmful effects that accompany
global warming. Both coal-powered power stations and coal mining activities
release heat-trapping greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide.
Air pollution
Most of the air pollution in the world can be attributed to the insufficient
burning of fossil fuels like gasoline, coal, and oil. Coal delivers more air
pollution than any of the other energy sources. These toxic airborne emissions
include tiny particles of fly ash that have nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, lead,
and other heavy metals, which all negatively influence human health.
Health problems like respiratory problems, breathing difficulties, lung diseases,
cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, cancer, and even premature
death have all been related to these toxic emissions. Coal mining activities,
particularly surface or strip mining, also contribute to air pollution via
microscopic coal dust particles that are released into the air and are harmful to
the health as well as the nearby communities and wildlife.
Water consumption from coal-based energy plants
Simply put, coal power stations utilize extensive amounts of water an hour and
place a heavy burden on water resources. As it is in many parts of the globe,
the need for water overreaches the supply, with intense competition for use
between agricultural and agricultural municipal sectors.

2. Thermal pollution from coal-based energy plants
Once a coal plant has pumped the water via the plant to serve as a coolant, the
wastewater is then released back into the water source. This wastewater is
usually hotter by up to 25° F than the water produces what is known as
thermal pollution when it is discharged back into the water. The temperature
shift of the wastewater directly influences marine life by lowering oxygen
supplies, reducing fertility, and even affecting surrounding ecosystems.
Water pollution from waste products
Power stations are known to produce waste products like slag, fly ash, bottom
ash, and sludge which have concentrated amounts of heavy metal toxins like
mercury and lead. And while some coal ash may be recycled into products like
concrete or wallboard, a lot of the waste discovers its way into landfills or
unlined pits.
A common technique by coal mines is to wash the mined coal with chemicals
and water to remove all impurities before loading it for transport to suppliers.
This results in liquid coal waste which is then kept in improvised ponds or
underground water bins.
Destruction of habitats
Sadly, the search for a cheap energy source has resulted in the demolition of
wildlife habitats and landscapes. Strip mining, also known as surface mining,
strips the ground away to get the coal seams underneath. In doing so, methods
like leveling or blasting are utilized, which in turn not only troubles but
destroys surrounding wildlife habitat. Deforestation and soil erosion are other
consequences of coal mining activities when topsoil is scraped away, and trees
are uprooted or burned down to construct a way for a coal mine. The resulting
consequences are that land can no longer be utilized for agricultural purposes
like crop planting, and the loosened topsoil finds its route into waterways
killing fish and plant life.
Causes acid rain
Mainly due to human activities, acid rain results when air pollutants like sulfur
dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the atmosphere. And one of the
biggest reason is coal-burning power plants that produces fly ash. These

3. pollutants in the fly ash respond to water droplets, oxygen, and other
substances in the air and produce sulfuric acid and airborne nitric resulting in
acid rain.