Analysis of Environmental Issues - Essay Example

 Analysis of Environmental Issues The world has been undergoing extensive scientific and technological breakthroughs. This has been accompanied with the changes in the population trends across the globe and the population of the world has been increasing at alarming levels. The increase in the number of people has called for increased utilization of resources and fossil fuels for the production of energy. This is owing to the fact that the energy demand of the world has increased greatly with the industrialization and the population rise.

This has led to a rise in the processes of energy production. The mining and burning of coal account for a few processes which are used for the purpose of energy production. The impact of coal on the environment is an issue of environmental concern. It serves as a threat to the environment owing to the production of hazardous substances which tend to alter the normal environment as well as lay effects on the health of the individuals (Finkelman et al 1999; Hill 2010). The burning of coal takes place in houses for domestic purposes in third world countries where there is unavailability of gas.

This is accompanied by the usage of coal as an energy source for industries across the world. The process of coal mining precedes the process of coal burning. It is the procedure used for the extraction of coal. The processes of coal mining as well as the burning of coal lead to the release of harmful substances into the environment. These include carbon dioxide, nitric oxide and sulphur dioxide which are all harmful for the environment (International Labour Office et al 1994). Coal mining should be a regulated process and the sites should be away from places where people reside.

Strict regulations should also be followed in these areas to prevent exposure to individuals. Ash should be deposited in safe sites where they are away from the water reservoirs to prevent contamination. Lastly, alternative fuel sources should be found to prevent the pollution that results due to coal mining and burning (Hill 2010; International Labour Office et al 1994; Mackenzie et al 2005). The impact of coal on the environment is severe and if left unchecked, the consequences are extreme.

Large amounts of carbon dioxide are released due to the burning of coal and as it is a green house gas it tends to promote global warming. Sulphur dioxide and nitric oxide are hazardous gases which lead to acid rain. Furthermore, the burning of coal is an incomplete process and results in the production of ash. This ash may get deposited on land and enter the groundwater to contaminate the water reservoirs by the formation of acids and hazardous substances. The mining of coal leads to the production of radioactive substances as well and it has been analyzed that this can result in exposure to the individuals residing in close vicinity.

This exposure is higher as compared to that with nuclear plants owing to the weaker regulations in coal mining areas. It can also affect the lungs of the people who work in these industries and results in ‘Black Lung Disease’ (Hill 2010; International Labour Office et al 1994; Mackenzie et al 2005). Thus, it can be analyzed that coal mining and burning is a process which results in the release of harmful substances which tend to harm the environment. It results in pollution as well as harmful effects on the health of the individuals.

The process should be regulated and alternative sources of energy should be searched so that the adverse effects can be prevented.Works CitedTop of FormFinkelman, Robert B, and Peggy M. K. Gross. "The Types of Data Needed for Assessing the Environmental and Human Health Impacts of Coal." International Journal of Coal Geology. 40.2 (1999): 91. Print.Top of FormHill, Marquita K. Understanding Environmental Pollution. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010. Print.Bottom of FormTop of FormInternational Labour Office.

, International Labour Organisation., & International Labour Organisation. Recent Developments in the Coalmining Industry. Geneva: International Labour Office, 1994. Print.Top of FormMackenzie, Fred T, Heinrich D. Holland, and Karl K. Turekian. Treatise on Geochemistry: 7. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2005. Print.Bottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of Form