Importance of Coal Industry | Coal Industry in India | Audio Article | Drishti IAS

Drishti IAS

30 Nov 202316:38

Summary

TLDRThe script discusses the complex issue of coal's role in sustainable development, focusing on the environmental challenges it poses, such as greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change. It highlights the dependency of countries like India and China on coal for energy production and the economic implications of transitioning to renewable energy sources. The episode emphasizes the need for a balanced approach, gradually reducing coal usage while investing in cleaner technologies and supporting developing nations in their energy transition.

Takeaways

🌏 The COP 28 summit in Dubai is a significant platform for discussing environmental and climate change issues, emphasizing the importance of global leaders' commitment to environmental protection.
🌱 Afforestation, pollution reduction, renewable energy, and a plastic-free world are common topics at environmental conferences, highlighting the urgency of addressing climate change.
🔥 Coal has been a primary energy source for electricity production worldwide, with a 35% share in global electricity generation as of 2020, indicating its crucial role in modern development.
📈 The demand for coal has been increasing, especially in developing countries like India and China, due to its affordability and availability, which supports economic growth and energy needs.
💡 The transition from traditional to modern usage of coal began with the Industrial Revolution, propelling unprecedented economic and technological progress.
🚫 Despite the known environmental impacts of coal, such as greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change, its use continues due to its economic benefits and the lack of viable alternatives.
🛠 The script discusses the challenges of replacing coal with renewable energy sources, considering the reliability, cost, and availability of these alternatives, especially in developing nations.
💼 The coal industry is a significant source of livelihood for millions and contributes substantially to the economy, making it difficult to phase out abruptly.
♻️ There is a call for technological improvements and investment in cleaner coal technologies, such as supercritical and ultra-supercritical coal power plants, to reduce environmental harm.
🌿 The script suggests a balanced approach to energy production, considering both energy security and the need to address climate change, advocating for a gradual reduction in coal usage.
🔄 The discussion concludes that while coal is harmful, its complete replacement is challenging due to its deep integration into the global energy infrastructure, suggesting a need for a transition to renewable energy sources over time.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the script?
-The main topic of discussion in the script is the possibility and challenges of replacing coal in sustainable development, as well as its role in global electricity production.
What is COP 28 and why is it significant?
-COP 28 is a top-level conference on environmental and climate change issues, significant for discussing strategies to combat global warming and for including almost all top world leaders who are environmental supporters.
What does the term 'sustainable development' mean in the context of the script?
-In the script, 'sustainable development' refers to the use of energy and resources in a way that ensures their availability for future needs while meeting the current development requirements.
Why is coal considered a major contributor to global electricity production?
-Coal is considered a major contributor because it is the primary energy source for most of the world's electricity production, especially in developing countries, due to its abundance and cost-effectiveness.
What are the environmental challenges associated with coal usage?
-The environmental challenges associated with coal usage include the release of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change, air pollution, and damage to aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity.
How does India's growing population and economy affect its energy requirements?
-India's growing population and economy lead to increased energy demands, making coal a significant part of its energy mix due to its ability to provide stable and affordable electricity.
What is the current share of coal in global electricity production according to the script?
-According to the script, coal's share in global electricity production was about 35% in the year 2020.
What is the role of coal in India's thermal power plants?
-Coal plays a crucial role in India's thermal power plants, with 74.4% of electricity production coming from these plants, which are largely dependent on coal.
What are the economic implications of replacing coal with renewable energy sources?
-The economic implications of replacing coal with renewable energy sources include the potential for increased costs due to the need for importing critical minerals for technologies like lithium-ion batteries and the initial investment in renewable energy infrastructure.
How does the script suggest addressing the environmental impact of coal while ensuring energy security?
-The script suggests a balanced approach that considers both energy security and the need to mitigate climate change, implying a gradual reduction of coal usage and an increase in renewable energy production without sudden economic pressures.
What are some of the technological improvements mentioned in the script to reduce the environmental impact of coal usage?
-The script mentions technological improvements such as supercritical and ultra-supercritical coal-based power plants that can reduce emissions, as well as investment in carbon capture and storage technologies.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Climate Change and Global Energy Dependence on Coal

The script begins by addressing the topic of climate change and environmental concerns that are commonly discussed at global forums, with a focus on reforestation, pollution reduction, renewable energy, and a plastic-free world. It highlights the COP 28 event in Dubai as a significant platform for discussing environmental and climate change issues, involving world leaders and emphasizing sustainable development. The main question raised is whether coal can be replaced by sustainable development, given that most of the world's electricity production still relies on coal. The script also discusses the historical importance of coal in driving the industrial revolution and its continued role in economic development, especially in countries with abundant coal resources like the United States, China, and Europe.

05:02

📈 Global and Indian Coal Consumption Trends

This paragraph delves into the statistics of global coal production and consumption, noting an 8.2% increase in global coal production in 2022, with Asia accounting for 70% of the world's coal supply. It emphasizes China as the largest producer and consumer of coal. The discussion then shifts to India, highlighting the country's growing energy needs due to its large and growing population. The script mentions that India's primary energy consumption is largely dependent on non-renewable sources like coal, oil, and gas, with a significant contribution from thermal power plants. It also touches on the role of the coal sector in providing employment and the challenges of replacing coal with renewable energy sources due to economic and availability factors.

10:06

💧 Environmental and Health Impacts of Coal Usage

The script discusses the environmental and health challenges associated with the coal industry, including the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and heavy metals. These emissions contribute to climate change, air pollution, and negative effects on public health, including respiratory diseases. It also addresses the water pollution caused by coal mining and thermal power plants, which can harm aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. The paragraph concludes by questioning the continued use of coal despite its detrimental effects and the difficulty of transitioning away from it due to its economic benefits and availability.

15:08

🛠 Transitioning to Renewable Energy and Technological Improvements

The final paragraph explores the challenges and potential solutions for transitioning from coal to renewable energy sources. It acknowledges the significant role of coal in global electricity production and the need for a balanced approach that considers energy security and climate change mitigation. The script suggests that technological advancements, such as supercritical and ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plants, can reduce emissions. It also advocates for investment in carbon capture and storage technologies and increased focus on renewable energy production in economically viable developed countries, as well as financial support for developing countries to move towards cleaner energy sources. The episode concludes with a reflection on the complexity of replacing coal in India and the need for a gradual and sustainable transition.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, primarily as a result of human activities such as burning fossil fuels. In the video, climate change is a central theme, discussing how coal contributes to this issue through the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. The script mentions global efforts to mitigate climate change, such as reducing reliance on coal.

💡Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is energy derived from natural resources that are replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, and rain. The video discusses the transition to renewable energy as a solution to reduce pollution and carbon emissions, highlighting the need to increase the use of solar and wind energy to combat climate change.

💡Coal

Coal is a black or brownish-black sedimentary rock primarily used as a fuel source for power generation. The script emphasizes coal's role as a major energy source globally, while also pointing out its significant contribution to environmental pollution and climate change.

💡Deforestation

Deforestation is the removal of trees and forests, often to make way for agriculture, urban development, or logging. The video script does not directly mention deforestation, but it is implied as a consequence of climate change and the need for sustainable development.

💡Pollution

Pollution refers to the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. The script discusses various forms of pollution resulting from coal combustion, including air pollution with sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which contribute to smog and acid rain.

💡Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is a development approach that aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The video touches on sustainable development in the context of balancing energy needs with environmental protection, advocating for the responsible use of resources.

💡Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases are gases in the atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming. The script specifically mentions carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas emitted from burning coal, which is a significant factor in climate change.

💡Thermal Power Plants

Thermal power plants, also known as coal-fired power plants, generate electricity by burning coal. The video discusses the prevalence of thermal power plants in electricity generation and their environmental impact, including high carbon emissions.

💡Energy Security

Energy security is the uninterrupted availability of energy resources at an affordable price. The script mentions energy security in the context of relying on coal for a stable energy supply, especially for countries with abundant coal resources like India.

💡Economic Development

Economic development refers to the process of improving the economic well-being and quality of life of a country's citizens. The video links coal to economic development, noting its historical role in powering industrial revolutions and its current importance in developing countries.

💡Environmental Impact

Environmental impact is the effect of any human, natural, or other external factors on the environment. The script discusses the environmental impact of coal mining and burning, including air and water pollution, as well as the ecological damage to land and biodiversity.

💡Carbon Capture and Storage

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technology that captures carbon dioxide emissions from large point sources, such as fossil fuel power plants, and stores it underground to prevent it from entering the atmosphere. The video suggests that investing in CCS technologies could help mitigate the environmental impact of coal use.

Highlights

Welcome to the audio program discussing the possibility of replacing coal in the context of sustainable development.

Coal has been a significant energy source since the Industrial Revolution, powering engines and factories.

The article 'Excluded from Sustainable Development' published in 'The Hindu' is based on inputs from a team and relates to environmental concerns.

Global discussions on climate change and environmental issues often revolve around renewable energy and reducing pollution.

The COP 28 conference in Dubai is a prominent platform for discussing environmental and climate change issues.

Sustainable development emphasizes the use of energy and resources in a way that preserves them for future needs.

Coal is the primary energy source for electricity production worldwide, accounting for approximately 35% of global electricity generation in 2020.

Coal's importance has grown in the economy as it is easily accessible and a source of livelihood for millions.

Developing countries are highly dependent on coal to meet their energy needs and boost economic growth.

India's energy demand is directly linked to its large and growing population, making coal a crucial resource.

Coal-fired thermal power plants in India produced 74.4% of the country's electricity in 2022.

Coal mining and the operation of thermal power plants have significant environmental and social impacts.

Greenhouse gas emissions from coal combustion contribute to climate change and global warming.

The immediate and primary damage from coal and thermal power plants includes air pollution and health hazards.

Coal mining affects the soil and vegetation, impacting the local ecosystem and biodiversity.

The challenge of replacing coal lies in its widespread availability and economic viability.

Renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are not uniformly available and can be expensive.

Technological improvements, such as supercritical and ultra-supercritical coal-based power plants, can reduce emissions.

Investment in carbon capture and storage technologies can help mitigate the environmental impact of coal combustion.

Economically developed countries should focus more on renewable energy for electricity production.

Developing and underdeveloped countries need financial support to transition towards renewable energy sources.

The gradual reduction of coal use and a slow increase in renewable energy production can prevent sudden economic pressures.

The conclusion emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that considers energy security and addresses climate change issues.