You Are Assigned A Nonrenewable Resource Based On The First ✓ Solved

You are assigned a nonrenewable resource based on the first

You are assigned a nonrenewable resource based on the first initial of your last name: A–J coal, K–R natural gas, S–Z oil. Describe how the resource formed, major reserve locations and extraction methods, environmental impacts of extraction, and how the resource is used to produce energy with associated pollution problems.

Support your statements with scholarly references in APA style. Write about 350–400 words. Address: why society relies on this resource, the role of government politics in energy demands, and potential political or economic ramifications if society shifted to an environmentally friendly fuel.

Paper For Above Instructions

Assuming coal as the assigned resource (A–J), the following analysis summarizes formation, global reserves, extraction methods, environmental impacts, and energy use associated with coal, followed by a discussion of the socio-political drivers of coal reliance and potential implications of moving toward environmentally friendly fuels. This framework reflects established sources in the field of energy and environmental policy (EIA, IPCC, IEA, NRC; see References).

Coal formation is a geological process rooted in ancient terrestrial vegetation that accumulated in waterlogged environments, leading to peat formation. Over long timescales, burial under sediments and repeated cycles of heat and pressure transformed peat into progressively more carbon-rich coal types: lignite, bituminous coal, and finally anthracite in some basins (Smil, 2017). The exact grade and energy content depend on burial depth, temperature, and time. This formation pathway explains why coal is considered a nonrenewable resource: the geologic processes that produce coal occur over millions of years, far exceeding human timescales for regeneration (EIA, 2023; Smil, 2017). (EIA, 2023; Smil, 2017)

Major coal reserves are concentrated in several regions of the world. According to contemporary energy assessments, the United States, Russia, China, Australia, India, and Indonesia host substantial coal deposits and production capacities, with varying grades and seam depths that influence mining methods and environmental risk profiles (EIA, 2023; Smil, 2017). These reserves underpin electricity generation, steel production, and industrial energy use in many economies, particularly in regions with established coal-based infrastructure and legacy power systems (IPCC, 2021; NRC, 2007). (EIA, 2023; Smil, 2017; IPCC, 2021)

Extraction methods for coal are diverse and depend on seam depth and geology. Surface mining, including open-pit and strip mining, is efficient for shallow seams but causes substantial land disturbance, habitat loss, and potential surface water disruption. Underground mining, including room-and-pillar and longwall techniques, minimizes surface disruption but presents safety hazards and methane release risks. Environmental impacts of extraction include landscape alteration, soil erosion, acid mine drainage, groundwater contamination, dust generation, and methane emissions—issues highlighted in environmental and public health literature and supported by major assessments (NRC, 2007; EPA, 2020). These impacts also translate into broader ecological costs, such as biodiversity loss and altered watershed function (NRC, 2007; EPA, 2020). (NRC, 2007; EPA, 2020)

Coal is primarily used to produce electricity and, historically, to support steel production and industrial heat. Coal-fired power plants convert coal’s chemical energy into heat and, via steam turbines, into electricity. The energy density and consistent baseload output of coal have made it a foundational resource for many grids, particularly in regions transitioning from other energy sources or maintaining affordable electricity. However, coal combustion releases significant pollutants, including carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulates, mercury, and other trace metals. CO2 is a dominant greenhouse gas contributing to climate change; SO2 and NOx contribute to acid rain and fine particulate matter, with documented adverse health and environmental impacts (IPCC, 2021; EPA, 2020). The environmental footprint of coal combustion underscores the climate and public health rationale for transitioning to lower-emission energy sources (IPCC, 2021; EPA, 2020). (IPCC, 2021; EPA, 2020)

Several factors help explain why societies have historically relied on coal. Coal provides high energy density, reliability, and established supply chains, along with existing infrastructure—power plants, transmission lines, and mining operations—that collectively support baseload electricity generation. Cost, accessibility, and political economy—such as employment in coal regions and regional energy security—also sustain its use despite environmental concerns. Analyses by energy authorities and scholars show that coal remains economically competitive in some markets, particularly where externalities are not fully priced or where energy access and affordability are prioritized (EIA, 2023; NRC, 2010). (EIA, 2023; NRC, 2010)

Government politics plays a central role in shaping energy demand and the coal footprint. Regulatory frameworks, environmental standards, energy subsidies, and climate policies influence the viability of coal relative to cleaner alternatives. For example, air quality regulations, coal retirements, and emission controls affect plant operations and capital costs, influencing investment choices and retirement timelines for aging coal assets (NRC, 2010; IPCC, 2021). Policy instruments—such as carbon pricing, emissions trading systems, subsidies for renewables, and efficiency standards—alter the relative economics of coal versus gas and renewables, with cascading effects on energy prices, employment, and regional development (NRC, 2010; IPCC, 2022). (NRC, 2010; IPCC, 2021; IPCC, 2022)

If society shifted toward environmentally friendly fuel sources, political and economic ramifications would emerge across multiple dimensions. Grid modernization and storage technologies would need scaling, affecting investment priorities and industrial policy. Job displacements in coal-related sectors would require retraining programs and social safety nets, while regions dependent on coal revenues would require economic diversification strategies and regional development plans (IEA, 2023; NRC, 2010). Clean energy transitions could also alter geopolitical dynamics by reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports, impacting energy security and international trade patterns (IPCC, 2022). However, the transition could also introduce transitional risks, such as volatility in electricity prices during capacity build-out and the need for robust regulatory frameworks to ensure reliability, affordability, and environmental benefits (IEA, 2023; IPCC, 2022). (IEA, 2023; IPCC, 2022; NRC, 2010)

Overall, coal’s formation history, distribution of reserves, extraction methods, and environmental implications illustrate why it has been a durable energy source but also why transitions to cleaner energy are both necessary and complex. The interplay between energy economics, environmental health, and political policy continues to shape how coal is used and how societies plan for a low-emission energy future (Smil, 2017; EIA, 2023; IPCC, 2021; NRC, 2007; NRC, 2010). (Smil, 2017; EIA, 2023; IPCC, 2021; NRC, 2007; NRC, 2010)

References

  • U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2023). Coal Explained. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/coal/
  • U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2023). Natural gas explained. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/natural-gas/
  • U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2023). Oil explained. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/oil-petroleum/
  • International Energy Agency. (2023). World Energy Outlook 2023. Paris: IEA. https://iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2023
  • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Cambridge University Press.
  • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2022). Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Cambridge University Press.
  • Smil, V. (2017). Energy and Civilization: A History. MIT Press.
  • National Research Council. (2007). Hidden Costs of Energy: Unpriced Consequences of Energy Production and Use. National Academies Press.
  • National Research Council. (2010). America's Energy Future: Technology and Transformation. National Academies Press.
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2020). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2019. U.S. EPA.

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