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[[Image:Yallourn_open_cut.jpg|thumb|400px|Open-cut brown coal mine at Yallourn, [[Victoria]]]]

[[Image:Yallourn_open_cut.jpg|thumb|400px|Open-cut brown coal mine at Yallourn, [[Victoria]]]]

'''Coal''' is a combustible material which was formed by decomposing plant and animal material placed under intense pressure.

'''Coal''' is a combustible material which was formed by decomposing plant and animal material placed under intense pressure. [[China]] is the largest producer and consumer of coal in the world.

[[Coal mining]] is the extraction of coal for use as a [[fuel]]. It became important after 1800 as coal fueled railroads of the [[Industrial Revolution]], and (where cheap water power was not available), the factories. Coal is now the chief method of generating [[electricity]], along with burning natural gas, using water power in dams, and using nuclear energy.

[[Coal mining]] is the extraction of coal for use as a [[fuel]]. It became important after 1800 as coal fueled railroads of the [[Industrial Revolution]], and (where cheap water power was not available), the factories. Coal is now the chief method of generating [[electricity]], along with burning natural gas, using water power in dams, and using nuclear energy.

== Environmental and societal impact==

== Environmental and societal impact==

The burning of coal has lead to certain environmental consequences, such as the increase of coal-originating [[mercury]] in ocean fish such as tuna, or the release of chemicals that lead to acid rain. Acid rain is caused by the release of sulfur dioxide from fossil fuels, which dissolves to form sulfuric acid in rain clouds.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,210660,00.html</ref> Acid rain can have serious impacts on local ecosystems, agriculture, and many structures, as the acid can eat away at building materials sensitive to acid, such as limestone.

The burning of coal has lead to certain environmental consequences, such as the increase of coal-originating [[mercury]] in ocean fish such as tuna, or the release of chemicals that lead to acid rain. Acid rain is caused by the release of sulfur dioxide from fossil fuels, which dissolves to form sulfuric acid in rain clouds.<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,210660,00.html</ref> Acid rain can have serious impacts on local ecosystems, agriculture, and many structures, as the acid can eat away at building materials sensitive to acid, such as limestone.

Despite this, coal also has had a positive influence on human development. Technology has been invented to make coal clean, heavily reducing any possible impact on the environment.<ref>https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2016/03/25/hillary-clinton-and-the-myth-of-dirty-coal/</ref> Contrary to the claims of [[liberal]]s, coal and other fossil fuels do little-to-nothing to contribute to "[[Global Warming]]."<ref>https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/10/09/prof-richard-lindzen-demolishes-the-climate-change-scare/</ref>

Despite this, coal also has had a positive influence on human development. Technology has been invented to make coal clean, heavily reducing any possible impact on the environment.<ref>https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2016/03/25/hillary-clinton-and-the-myth-of-dirty-coal/</ref> Contrary to the claims of [[liberal]]s, coal and other fossil fuels do little-to-nothing to contribute to "[[global warming]]."<ref>https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/10/09/prof-richard-lindzen-demolishes-the-climate-change-scare/</ref>

 

== Bibliography ==

== Bibliography ==

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Fuels]]

[[Category:Fuels]]

[[Category:Geology]]

[[Category:Geology]]

[[Category:Coal Mining]]

[[Category:Coal Mining]]