Coal
How is coal used to produce energy?
Coal is burned to create heat, which is used to generate electricity.
In Canada, we still use coal to make a lot of electricity. But what’s one thing we could use instead that doesn't pollute the air?
Wind or solar power.
What gas gets trapped in the air and causes warming?
Carbon dioxide (CO2).
Do you know that tiny bits of coal can get into your lungs when you breathe dirty air? What are these tiny bits called?
Soot or particulate matter.
Why does climate change have anything to do with coal mining?
Burning coal releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming. Climate change can alter habitats and threaten the survival of many species.
What is coal made from and how is it formed?
Coal is made from decomposed plants that were compacted with heat and pressure over millions of years.
What caused The Great Smog of 1952 in London?
Burning too much coal.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) acts like a blanket around the Earth, keeping the heat in. What does this lead to?
Global warming and climate change.
Coal pollution can hurt not just your lungs, but also your heart and brain. What kind of health problems can it cause?
Heart attacks, strokes and loss of intelligence.
Coal extraction makes up what percent of mining related deforestation?
71%.
How is coal mined in Canada?
Coal is mined either through underground mining or surface mining.
When too much coal is burned, it can cause what kind of problems for people?
Breathing problems like asthma or bronchitis.
Did you know that the air pollution from burning coal causes "acid rain"? What does acid rain do to the environment?
It damages plants, lakes, and even buildings.
What is the name of the disease coal miners can get from breathing in coal dust?
Black lung disease.
What are 3 effects that coal mining has on animals?
Unsafe sources of water, destruction of their habitat, Noise and light distrubance, and soil degradation (Remove of food sources)
Why is coal considered a reliable energy source?
Because it consistently provides stable energy no matter the weather or external conditions.
How does air pollution affect water sources?
Polluted air can lead to acid rain, which can make lakes and rivers too acidic for fish and other wildlife.
Climate change is making some places hotter and some places wetter. What are two things that can happen as a result of these changes?
More floods, droughts, or extreme weather like hurricanes.
Burning coal releases a special poison that can build up in fish. What’s the name of this poison?
Mercury.
Through 2001 and 2020 how many hectares of forest was lost to coal mining?
1.4 million hectares.
What is one advantage and disadvantage of using coal energy?
Advantage: Coal energy is affordable and provides stable electricity, helping support jobs and economic growth.
Disadvantage: Coal is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change.
When we burn coal, it puts a lot of harmful chemicals into the air. What is one chemical that makes the air so polluted?
Mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, or nitrogen oxides.
How much of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions come from burning coal?
Over 75%.
Coal ash is leftover after burning coal, and it’s full of toxic substances. What dangerous substance can be found in coal ash?
Arsenic, chromium, lead, and mercury
How much carbon dioxide is released due to coal mining?
36 million tonnes of Carbon dioxide.