How do coal power plants affect the environment?

To put it simply, coal-fired power plants are just big exhaust pipes, a lot like the exhaust pipes on an automobile, with a few minor variations here and there.

The world has struggled to move away from coal power because of the enormous amount of energy that can be produced when burning coal, which is primarily composed of carbon. Coal fired power plants function by burning coal.

But as with many combustion reactions, when we burn coal, we release gaseous compounds that contain carbon and oxygen. The most common gas released is carbon dioxide, but there are other gases released as well, like sulfur compounds, and they also occasionally produce soot, which is the fine, black dust-like substance that comes from diesel trucks.

While the effects of each of these on the environment can vary greatly, methane and carbon dioxide have a similar effect. These gases function as a blanket, allowing radiation and heat from the sun to enter and only allowing a small amount to escape into space. The more carbon dioxide you add to the atmosphere, the more heat you will retain.

Environmental effects include reduced planetary solar reflection (albedo) from soot in the snow, ocean acidification from carbonic acid formation, and large-scale species extinction. The most obvious effects would be the melting of the polar ice caps and the eventual rise in sea level.

Coal power plants affect the environment primarily through air pollution, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. They release sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, contributing to acid rain, respiratory issues, and smog. Coal plants also produce large amounts of carbon dioxide, a major contributor to climate change. Additionally, coal ash disposal can contaminate water sources with heavy metals and other toxins.