How can you prevent coal pollution?

Answer 1

The best way is to stop using coal. If we ignore the pollution (and that is what we have done up till now) coal is a cheap and efficient way to generate electricity. Now that we are realising the cost of the carbon dioxide that coal releases into the atmosphere, we are seeing that the true cost of coal is much higher than we thought. If we want to stop using coal we have to quickly find better and cleaner ways of producing electricity.

It is very difficult to prevent the pollution that comes from mining, transporting and burning coal. Filtering and capturing the carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides, sulfur oxides as well as soot particles adds immensely to the cost of the process. In fact nobody is doing it, as it is too expensive.

There are various trials around the world with "clean coal". This is where the carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas that is causing global warming, is captured and then stored somewhere safe underground, perhaps in old oil mines or even coal mines. Again this is very costly and there is little hope of success, but countries with large reserves of coal are reluctant to abandon them.

Answer 2

Coal burning to produce energy will create more pollution unless steps are taken to purify the chemicals released into the atmosphere. Also, some grades of coal are more apt to produce pollution than other types. Using the cleanest coal possible will help the environment. In addition, solar, natural gas, and nuclear power can be used to produce energy. This will decrease the use of coal.