As it is, coal has been useful to humans for heating purposes and as fuel for machinery. The Industrial Revolution helped uncover this treasure as a primary source for fuel. The first examples would include Richard Arkwright’s introduction to the first factory, and James Watt’s innovations on the steam engine, which entirely revolutionized the ways in which consumer goods were now made. All of these led to the expansion on the coal industry, from local to national. Transportation and even electricity was now dependent on the burning of coal, and this is what has brought us to today. As it is, within the United States, we have an abundant supply of coal that surpasses even the amount of oil internationally. Even so, the amount of coal we have only tempts us to utilize it more when in fact, burning coal is a very dangerous and hazardous operation. The impurities released into the air when burning coal contribute to acid rain, and the carbon emitted only adds more to our predicament with global warming. Since carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, the earth’s heat can be trapped by the emission of this gas, and with so many industries dependent on the burning of coal, we can only see ourselves disposing all of the potential progress we have made with climate change policies as we continue to use coal. For our fears with rising waters, we must …show more content…
Countries have been investing in alternative energy sources as a way to avoid using energy sources that emit harmful gases. With China and the United States at the top of the list for being the largest carbon gas emitters, both rank as the top 2 leading investors in green energy. China has a 433 gigawatts of generating capacity for renewable energy, taking first place in having the largest renewable energy market. The United States falls into second place with less than 2 times the generating capacity of China’s. Other countries have also participated in this by looking at solar, hydroelectric, wind, and geothermal