How does coal mining effect global warming?

Answer 1

if you only use simple tools like pick axes, then no. If you use machinery, then yes.

Strip mining removes dark colored vegetation, exposing lighter colored soil. Over broad areas this increases earth's albedo, meaning more light is reflected from earth's surface. This would have a slight cooling effect.

On the other hand, if one is mining coal, presumably that coal will be burned to produce electricity or heat. The CO2 emitted from the oxidation of the coal typically escapes into the atmosphere, where it acts as a heat trapping gas, increasing global warming.

Answer 2

Coal Mining effects global warming in several different ways.

Some underground coal mining operations release methane gas that is trapped within the coal bed as the coal is being extracted. This methane gas is simply ventilated to the outside and released into the atmosphere by the large mine ventilation fans. Some mines release upwards of 5,000,000 cubic feet of methane in a 24 hour period or more. The Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration conducts testing to determine these numbers. It is not unheard of for some mines to produce upwards of 24,000,000 cubic feet of methane in 24 hours at peak.

Underground coal mines also use massive amounts of electricity to extract coal, which in turn produces carbon dioxide. A typical continuous mining machine will use 250 kilowatts of power, and when multiplied by 1 hour, this equals 250 kilowatt hours (kWh) of power. This means that in only 4 hours a continuous miner will consume as much power as a typical household does in one month (assuming a typical household uses 1000 kWh of electricity per month). Underground coal mines are not limited to continuous miners. They also use a great deal of other electrical equipment including conveyor belt drives, haulage equipment, and roof bolters. A typical two unit coal mines can consume 16 megawatt hours (MWh) within 24 hours, or enough to power 16 households for one month.

Surface coal mines use both diesel and electric powered equipment which produces an abundance of carbon dioxide.

Answer 3

Coal mining contributes to global warming by releasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The extraction and burning of coal release large amounts of carbon dioxide, a major contributor to the greenhouse effect. Additionally, coal mining can lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, and water pollution, further exacerbating the effects of climate change.

Answer 4

methane