Introduction

The planet earth has been estimated to be around 4.54 billion years old; with the first signs of life estimated about 3.77 billion years ago. It wasn’t until around 140 years ago when mankind first began using coal with the purpose of industrialization. The use of coal was surely great for the people of the time, but they lacked information about the negative byproducts of burnt coal. The fact of the matter is there are numerous byproducts when using coal with countless negative impacts on our environment. Many people have come to the realization of the devastating effects coal has on human life which has sparked a new era of change. There are many alternatives to coal which are truly sustainable. Renewable sources of energy are the best option for future sustainability.

The Detriments of Coal

Coal has provided many benefits to the progression of civilization and mankind in the past. But in turn; coal has also caused some of the most difficult problems we have to deal with in the present day. There are many downsides to using coal which affect our environment, our health and atmosphere. To start the weakening of the ozone layer is typically always at the head of global warming conversations. Carbon Dioxide is a large factor in the thickening of the ozone layer which in turn traps more heat in our atmosphere.

According to NASA’s research the ppm of carbon dioxide found in ice cores has increased exponentially ever since the start of industrialization.

Both images pulled from NASA official website https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/ and https://climate.nasa.gov/causes/

Another extreme downside of the use of coal is that the waste that is created from burning it. Most commonly the byproduct from burnt coal is stored at landfills and cannot be degraded. The waste that is produced from burning coal is extremely detrimental to our environment and can cause numerous problems. Lastly there are many chemical byproducts that coal emits when being used. The combustion of coal emits chemicals like nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and mercury which all pose huge threats to our health. According to the Union of Cornered Scientists “Coal plants are responsible for 42 percent of US mercury emissions,” (p. 4) which can cause damage to the nervous, digestive and immune systems. Nitrous oxides are the cause of the visible smog in some cities and can cause problems like asthma, pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. 

Hydroelectricity

Hydroelectricity is energy that is produced through the movement of water. The power that hydroelectric systems can provide is determined by the speed and volume of the water being used. There are many reasons that hydro power is a better alternative resource to look to for power. Firstly, the process of creating power from hydroelectricity is clean and safe. The design of hydroelectric power plants harnesses kinetic motion from natural flowing water minimizing if not removing the burning of fossil fuels completely. The plants themselves don’t create any waste or emit any greenhouse gasses making it remarkably safer than fossil fuels. Another reason why hydroelectric power is a better resource is that hydroelectric plants contribute to the growth and development of small communities. Often times ideal locations to build hydro plants can be in rural areas where small communities thrive, which can be beneficial to people living in these communities. The construction of a new power plant usually attracts the construction of new highways, industry and commerce which will help build the local economy. This can lead to increased access to education, healthcare and increase the overall quality of life for these people. The final reason hydroelectricity is a viable resource for power is that it’s infinitely renewable. The initial costs of building a hydroelectric plant are very costly but in turn the energy that is produced is an infinite and long lasting source. The best thing about hydro power is that it can’t be all used up, the only limit being the capacity and power of the plant itself. 

Solar Power

Solar energy is an adequate alternative source of energy, which is ideal to adapt into the home and lifestyle of people worldwide. There are many advantages to using solar energy because it’s a clean source of power, it’s cost effective, it has diverse applications and it’s renewable. Firstly, solar panels have no byproducts making it the cleanest and most environmentally stable alternative of any power source. Solar panels are ingenious because they use the sun’s power and pose zero risks in any way. Another reason solar panels are are great choice is because they are extremely cost effective to be installed. By using solar panels, homeowners are able to reduce the cost of energy bills by providing their own energy. On top of that, you can receive payments if you generate surplus energy and export power to the power grid. Additionally, solar panels can be used in very diverse applications and purposes. For example, satellites are generally powered by solar panels to remain with power without human interaction. Solar panels have also been designed to be transparent and serve as solar panel windows. The final reason solar panels are a better alternative resource is that they produce renewable energy. Solar panels are infinitely renewable and can be harnessed anywhere on earth at all times. It has been said that the sun has an approximately 5 billion years left in its life cycle meaning we can rely on it for a full lifetime. 

Conclusion

As you can see renewable resources are the best option for future sustainability. It’s obvious by now that coal is extremely detrimental to the planet and humankind as a whole which is why we need to turn to alternative energy sources. There are many alternatives to coal to look to like hydroelectricity or solar power. These sources are renewable, clean and sustainable which makes them viable options for alternative energy. 

Sources

https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/coal-and-air-pollution