Industrialization and the Use of Coal Energy

Industrialization and the Use of Coal Energy

Since the industrial revolution, coal a fossil fuel, has been a reliable source of energy. In Canada. Although other forms of energy have surpassed coal, it remains prominent in the metal industry and energy production (Wylie, 1990). Besides, a breakthrough in particular technologies and the ecological concerns associated with energy use have accelerated the need for sustainable energy production (Sadorsky, 2014). Thus, the foundation of the environmental movements associating the coal industry with ecosystem disruption, climate change, and the subsequent health effects. Therefore, to reduce the harmful emissions associated with coal energy, the Canadian government has signalled its intention to phase out the traditional coal-dependent electricity (Quigley, 2016). Although fossils fuel such as coal is predominantly associated with environmental pollution, transiting to lower carbon energy needs to cater for subsequent industrialization while protecting the environment while moving towards sustainability.

The concept of industrialization.

Usually, the process of energy development relies on specific driving forces. First, the expansion of human civilization accelerating energy demands (Zou et al., 2016). During ancient times, the readily available wood energy satisfied both heating and cooking needs. However, the industrialization process has further continued the process of energy transformation. For instance, with technological advancement, coal a higher density fossil fuel became the most prominent energy source surpassing wood in the nineteenth century (Li & Lin,2015). However, the invention of an internal combustion engine elevated demand for oil as the most efficient form of energy resource. Secondly, the increased application of technology in geological theory and drilling have substantially enhanced the exploration and extraction of oil. Thus, further replacement of coal as the most solid consumed forms of energy.

Currently, with the sustained increase in energy demand and the subsequent invention of eco-friendly societies, the transformation to cleaner energy is inevitable. Furthermore, the realization of ecological and environmental problems associated with fossil fuel has intensified the need to adopt sustainable forms of energy (Li, K & Lin, 2015). Therefore, it is beyond a reasonable doubt that clean energy is predominantly the future source of energy. Although these forms of energy are fashionable, they present a certain level of uncertainty in energy consumption. Thus, the sustainment of fossil energy.

Additionally, scientific and technological advancement are critical drivers of the energy revolution. Although the energy was meant to fulfil the survival needs, the industrial revolution has continuously increased its demand, relative to the improved quality of life(Zou et al., 2016). Regarding the accelerated civilization and industrial revolution, the need for energy has significantly increased, reaching the current unprecedented levels. However, in recent years’ the concerns arising from energy generation have triggered a series of ecological and environmental movements toward sustainable energy generation. For instance, to curb harmful carbon emissions, there attempts to phase out the conventional carbon-emitting fuel (Zou et al., 2016). Hence the inclusion of ecological aspects in the energy production process.

Usually, Canada is a huge energy consumer. This consumption contributes to its ranking at the top of the eight most industrialized countries in the world (Quigley, 2016). Usually, factors such as the movement of people and goods, prolonged heating, and lighting, particularly during winter and high energy-consuming industries are the possible reasons behind the higher energy consumption rates (Li & Lin, (2015). Notably, the heat released from burning coal in the presence of oxygen attracts different uses. Specifically, in Canada, the generation of electricity and manufacturing of steel and cement are the major sectors relying on coal energy.

According to Quigley (2016), Canada produced 62.3Mt of coal of which, 49%was metallurgical directed toward steel manufacturing, and the rest 51 percent thermal coal used in electricity production in the year 2015. Besides, in the same year, nearly 9% of the electricity generated in Canada came from coal. Moreover, some regions of Canada are endowed with cheap domestic coal, with other areas being accessible to the international supply of fuel for importation. However, the government has signalled out the intention of phasing-out the conventional coal-generated electricity, leaving out the metallurgical process. Although the reliance on coal energy in power generation has continuously declined, Canada remains one of the large exporters of metallurgical coal, among countries such as USA, Australia, and Russia (Quigley, 2016). Although endowed with abundant coal reservoirs, coal energy is nonrenewable. Hence mitigation is essential in as far as its eco-efficiency is concerned.

Mitigating the negative impacts of coal on a sustainable environment.

Globally, the energy sector poses a particular challenge in the context of sustainable growth due to its size, complexity, dependence, and reliance on fossil fuel. Specifically, coal uses not only associated with air pollution but also negatively impact the environmental starting from extraction until its final use (Williams, 2019). Firstly, coal mining often results in deforestation and emission of toxic substances such as heavy metals and acid into the environment. For instance,  the British Columbia mines leach a significant amount of selenium into the River Elk, which not only damages the ecosystem but also contaminate drinking water (Williams, 2019). These mining impacts persist for long, depending on the technological application.

Nonetheless, reduced technological applications may ignite coal leading to prolonged burning and ultimately continued emission of greenhouse gases. Moreover, this mining process releases coal mine methane, 20 times severe gas compared to the usual carbon dioxide (Zou et al., 2016). Consequently, raising the number of environmental challenges, hence the mitigation measures to minimize possible impacts on all possible aspects. However, mitigation of these cumulative impacts does not always have to be complicated; but the requirement of their effectiveness. Besides, the mitigation process requires holistic understanding, coordination, and integration of mitigation measures across the coal energy (Williams, 2019). Through such actions, we mitigate environmental impacts by, first, Enhancing information exchange and networks. The information exchange network provides a crucial opportunity to exchange experiences with coal.

Furthermore, such a network is a useful forum through which issues across multiple operations coverage. Also, through such discussions, environmentalist can share their expertise on environmental management of not only sites but also emission during coal burning (Dontala et al., 2015). Thus, the implementation of carbon reduction measures. Secondly, Multi-stakeholder collaboration and coordination. Cumulative impacts often extend beyond the geographical location of operation and may eventually contribute to a system influence by other services (Dontala et al., 2015). Therefore, monitoring a single order is insufficient and non-representative. However, mitigating cumulative impacts is a high-intensity stakeholder concern, rather than disintegration. Finally, to achieve efficacy, environment reclamation is imperative, especially where degradation has already occurred. Although intricate designs may be appropriate, simple reclamation approaches are also useful. For instance, additional lime in the mining cites to neutralize the acidity (Mamurekli, 2010). Also, cover soil encourages vegetation that eventually stabilizes the ground and prevents erosion.

References

Dontala, S., Reddy, T., & Vadde, R. (2015). Environmental Aspects and Impacts its Mitigation Measures of Corporate Coal Mining. Procedia Earth And Planetary Science, 11, 2-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeps.2015.06.002

Li, K., & Lin, B. (2015). Impacts of urbanization and industrialization on energy consumption/CO2 emissions: does the level of development matter?. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 52, 1107-1122.

Mamurekli, D. (2010). Environmental impacts of coal mining and coal utilization in the UK. Acta Montanistica Slovaca, 15(2), 134.

Quigley, J. (2016). By the numbers: A hard look at Canada’s declining coal industry | CBC News. CBC. Retrieved 9 March 2020, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canadian-coal-by-the-numbers-1.3408568https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canadian-coal-by-the-numbers-1.3408568.

Sadorsky, P. (2014). The Effect of Urbanization and Industrialization on Energy Use in Emerging Economies: Implications for Sustainable Development. American Journal Of Economics And Sociology, 73(2), 392-409. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajes.12072

WILLIAMS, C. (2019). From Canadian Coal Mines, Toxic Pollution That Knows No Borders. Yale E360. Retrieved 9 March 2020, from https://e360.yale.edu/features/from-canadian-coal-mines-toxic-pollution-that-knows-no-borders.

Wylie, P. (1990). Scale-Biased Technological Development in Canada’s Industrialization, 1900-1929. The Review Of Economics And Statistics, 72(2), 219. https://doi.org/10.2307/2109711

Zou, C., Zhao, Q., Zhang, G., & Xiong, B. (2016). Energy revolution: From a fossil energy era to a new energy era. Natural Gas Industry B, 3(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ngib.2016.02.001