This document discusses the environmental issues caused by South Africa's reliance on coal for energy. It notes that 77% of South Africa's energy comes from coal, with over 255 million tons produced in 2011. Coal mining impacts land use and pollutes the air, water, and land. It damages grassland and wetland ecosystems, harming many species of plants, insects, and animals. While coal provides cheap energy and jobs, its long-term effects include air and water pollution and waste. However, the document also describes a new safer method of burning coal created in South Africa that produces less harmful smoke.

1. Taylor Vaughan
Sarah Hurst

2. 
 One of the main environmental issues in South
Africa is be that 77% of peoples energy needs are
directly derived from coal. As of 2011 South Africa
produced and excess of 255 000 000 tons of coal. Coal
mining is dangerous to our health in many ways. In
2008 an estimate of approximately 1 000 000 lives
were shortened annually because of the coal
pollution in the air.
Environmental Issue

3. 
 Coal mining impacts, land use, waste
management, Water, and air pollution. It also creates
solid wastes such as: Fly Ash, Bottom Ash, and Flue-
gas desulfurization sludge.
Impacts

4. 
 Grasslands are more affected by the coal mining because they take
up a third of South Africa. In the grassland ecosystems the
pollution is affecting the vegetation, along with the animals and
insects. The following are being harmed because of pollution in
their ecosystem: 31 out of 100 threatened butterfly’s occur in the
Grassland Biome. 13 out of 93 species of threatened reptiles/
amphibians in South Africa occur in the Grassland Biome. 15 out of
35 mammals of South Africa can be found in the grassland Biome.
 Wetlands are also affected by the coal mining because it covers 2.4
percent of South Africa’s total 122 million hector surface area. The
wetlands ecosystem are the most endangered ecosystems
according to the South African Biodiversity Institute. Study’s show
that South Africa has lost about 50% of its original wetland area
due to pollution. Coal Mining takes up 3% of South Africa’s water.
Ecosystems affected

5. There are a few reasons why Coal Mining is beneficial to humans:
 Coal is the cheapest source of energy. It is a lot cheaper than Nuclear, natural
gas, and oil.
 Coal provides a stable source of energy and there is a lot on supply.
 Coal mining provides a lot of jobs in South Africa such as removing it from the
earth, transporting it, burning it, and getting rid of the ashes.
 The harmful activity of Coal burning has not slowed down. 92% of Africa’s Coal
Consumption is produced in South Africa.
The long term effects of Coal Mining Include:
 Water Pollution, Air Pollution, Less vacant Land, Waste Management, The pollution
that comes with Coal mining is toxic to everything in it’s ecosystem including the
human population.
Coal burning is so bad it generates hundreds of millions of tons of Solid wastes each year
including Fly Ash, Bottom Ash, and Flue-gas Desulfurization. These toxins contain
Mercury, Uranium, Thorium, Arsenic, And other heavy Metals
Impact of human
activity

6. 
 A grandmother is South Africa has a created a newer and
safer way of burning coal. This new system is effective
and creates less harmful smoke. The company's director is
Matshepiso Makhabone. The method is called “Granny
Fire” and was created just last year. The goal of the
initiative is to reduce the amount of harsh smoke going
into the air. Also this method is a lot cheaper for people in
Johannesburg and is reducing the amount of people
getting sick. The old method of burning coal was paper
than wood than coal. The new method is coal than
paper, than wood, than a tiny bit more of coal. This
system is making all the difference and will most likely
begin to spread to other parts of South Africa.
Newer Ways of Burning Coal

7. 
The End