Coal in the Modern World: Production and Distribution
Energy and industrial production are among the most important issues facing the world today. As human beings, we need permanent sources of energy in order to provide electricity and operate industrial facilities and equipment. Among these sources is coal , which is widely used in the modern world. In this article, we will discuss the global production and distribution of coal , and how it can be used as a renewable energy source.
The most coal producing countries in the world
China and Indonesia occupy the first positions in the world in the production of coal . China was at the top last year with its domestic production and global supplies. It is interesting to note that the list of countries that produce the most coal did not witness any change between 2020 and 2021.
It is said that every 1 exajoule equals approximately 40 million tons of hard coal . The countries that produce the most hard coal include the European, American and Asian groups. Russia, India, the United States of America and Australia are among the largest producers of coal in the world.
The types of coal produced vary around the world. In the USA, high quality coal is produced, while India and Indonesia produce high sulfur coal for domestic use. Lignite occupies an important place in India and China as one of the most important sources of electrical energy.
Although coal is still used globally for energy sources, countries are moving towards the use of alternative resources. In the UK, coal plants have been closed and converted in favor of clean energy. Major countries monitor plans for the transition to alternative energy and renewable natural stocks.
Increasing countries' reliance on coal as an alternative to oil
Despite international efforts to achieve a transition to other, more sustainable energy sources, there is an increase in countries' reliance on coal as an alternative to oil. This increase is partly due to the rise in world oil prices and the abundance of coal fields in some countries. Coal consumption is expected to rise after the global economy emerges from the COVID-19 crisis. Efforts to achieve economic development in emerging markets are among the factors that support the use of coal in these countries.
Many countries have difficulty implementing their plans to switch to cleaner energy sources, especially with regard to coal , given the difficulty of getting rid of dependence on this fuel in some industries and sectors. These efforts can be supported through green investments, and the adoption of modern technological methods that enable the reduction of coal use and accelerate the transition to clean and more sustainable energy sources. It also requires taking the right government policies that support these efforts and encourage the adoption of other sustainable energy sources.
abundance of coal fields in the world
The abundance of coal fields in the world makes it one of the most available and sustainable sources of energy, with an estimated global production of more than one million metric tons annually. This abundance is due to the presence of huge fields in several countries, such as the United States, Russia, India, China and Australia. These countries are keen to exploit this abundance to rely on coal as a substitute for oil, to limit the rise in its prices and to meet the continuous energy needs.
The northern hemisphere is a major source of coal production, as about 90% of it is produced in this region. It is present in large quantities in European countries such as Germany, Britain, and Poland, as well as the United States and Canada. Coal in these areas has a high economic value, as it is used to generate electricity and operate factories and other industries.
The Southern Hemisphere, although it does not have large amounts of coal , sometimes has some sedimentary pockets that contain small amounts of coal . These areas are distributed in some South American countries such as Brazil and Venezuela, as well as in some African countries such as South Africa.
Coal and the Global Economy
Coal is one of the primary sources of energy in the modern world, contributing significantly to the global economy. Coal is extracted from the ground and converted into electrical energy by burning it in electrical stations. Coal is a renewable natural resource due to the presence of large quantities of it in the ground. Statistics indicate that coal production is increasing year by year, which enhances consumers' confidence in this industry.
The coal industry contributes significantly to the global economy by providing employment opportunities for many communities around the world, and it works to meet the energy needs of countries for sustainable development. Coal is one of the main energy resources in major countries such as China and the United States, where this sector is the main engine in the economy.
Although the use of coal is increasing in general in the world, many organizations and governments around the world are seeking to transition to renewable sources of energy and abandon the use of fossil fuels. This comes within the framework of global commitments to limit climate change and achieve sustainable development.
Although the coal industry provides jobs for many communities, it poses a challenge to the environment, as coal is one of the most polluting sources of air and water. Therefore, many countries seek to encourage the use of other sources of energy, especially renewable ones, with the aim of reducing the environmental impacts resulting from the coal industry.
Distribution of global coal production in the northern and southern halves
The statistical statement shows that global coal production exceeds one million metric tons annually, due to the high global oil prices. Coal-producing countries are seeking to increase their dependence on it as an alternative to oil, in addition to the availability of coal fields.
Statistics also indicate that the northern hemisphere contributes about 90% of the world's coal production, while the southern hemisphere accounts for the remainder. The reason for this is due to the different composition of coal reserves in the two halves, where coal in the south needs sedimentary rocks, which are present in sedimentary pockets from the southern half only.
Some countries top the list of coal producers in the world, including China, the United States of America, India, Australia and Indonesia. The proportions of coal production vary in those countries, as China is the first country in the world in the production of coal with about 3849 million metric tons, while the United States of America comes in second place with a production of more than one billion metric tons of coal .
Production also varies in other coal- producing countries in the world, but the size of the coal market is constantly increasing in the world, and it represents one of the main energy sources in many countries. Coal is used by several major industries, including power, minerals, steel, and fertilizers.
With the continued growth of the world in general, it is noted that the demand for coal is constantly increasing, and as a result of this the world is witnessing an increase in production and distribution, as the coal that is being produced in many countries is distributed through an international network that includes more than 50 different countries, which helps to meet The world's continuing needs for coal .
Sedimentary rocks and their relationship to coal production
Coal strata are composed of sedimentary rocks between 300 and 400 million years old. These rocks contain fossils of plants and trees that lived in wet areas, swamps and dense forests in the past.
The formation of coal seams is influenced by the surrounding geological conditions. Sedimentary rocks are formed by the natural deposition of sediments resulting from geological transformations and mud fossils.
Coal seams extend across the continents in the northern hemisphere. The quantities produced differ in each region separately, due to the geographical composition of the lands and geological diversity.
Coal is usually found in sedimentary rocks that form rivers, lakes, and sea coasts. It can also be found in mountain sedimentary rocks and plateaus.
There are some countries that do not contain coal layers, such as the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar, due to the composition of igneous rocks that are not flexible enough to form coal.
Some modern techniques are available to extract coal from non-condensed sedimentary rocks. These methods include speeding up the production process and reducing the negative health and environmental impacts of mining.
Coal and renewable energy
Coal is one of the most used sources of electricity generation around the world, as it is used in power plants to produce energy. But with the increasing environmental awareness, governments and companies are starting to shift towards using renewable energy as a source of electricity generation.
Over the past years, the coal industry has witnessed several fluctuations as a result of the government's shift to relying on renewable energy. However, coal still accounts for about 38% of all electricity produced in the world.
Renewable energy, such as solar, wind and hydro, is a safe and clean alternative to coal . It also provides the opportunity to achieve environmental sustainability and reduce carbon emissions that cause environmental damage.
Although the use of coal is increasing in some developing countries, its use is expected to decrease in the long term future. This renewable and safe resource when used carefully, scientists are assured that coal production and use will be reduced at the appropriate time in the future.
It is important that countries and companies continue to work together to strategically develop renewable energy to replace coal use and achieve sustainable development.
Uses of coal in the modern world
Coal is widely used in the modern world in many different fields. It is mainly used in power generation, where it is used to power thermal electric plants. It is also used in the manufacture of steel, fertilizers and medicines. It is the main source of thermal energy in most developing countries.
Mines extract coal from the ground, and some mines produce different types of coal, including bituminous , lignin, and brown coal. The composition of coal varies in terms of its chemical and physical properties, and it can be used for different purposes.
Countries are working to regulate the coal industry to ensure the safety of workers and the preservation of the natural environment. It is also developing extraction techniques to make them faster and more efficient. Coal is increasingly being used as a biofuel source in transportation and production industry.
In some countries, coal is used in large quantities to generate electricity, and this use accounts for a large proportion of carbon emissions. However, great efforts are being made to switch to renewable energy sources and preserve the environment.
Coal is one of the world's primary resources and an integral part of the global economy. Although its use is challenging for the environment, countries are striving to switch to sustainable and green energy sources. It also adopts new drilling and extraction techniques to prevent mine accidents and preserve workers' rights.
Consumers need to be truly aware of the environmental consequences of relying on coal as an alternative fuel. Environmental organizations must be encouraged to educate people about the importance of preserving the environment around them, to provide alternative options for biofuels, and to encourage investment in clean energy.
Challenges of the coal industry in the world
The coal industry in the modern world faces many challenges, most notably the trend towards the use of sustainable and environmentally friendly energy.
Global pressure is growing to reduce carbon emissions and limit coal pollution and its impact on the environment.
Increasingly aware of the futility of continuing to rely on fossil fuels and reducing consumption in industrialized countries.
Countries are looking to transform the coal industry, look for alternatives to coal, and take advantage of renewable and clean energy sources, in addition to improving the efficiency of using coal.
Reducing dependence on the coal industry in developing countries is a major challenge, given their dependence on it for electricity generation and industry.
The coal industry needs to invest in research and development to shift to a more environmentally friendly industry and to develop heavy mine technology, which causes significant pollution and affects the health of its workers.
The future of the coal industry in the modern world.
Current projections indicate that the use of coal as a fuel in major industries is likely to decline over the coming decades. This is due to the growing interest in renewable energies and the shift of many countries to investing in alternative energy sources, which leads to a decrease in the demand for coal without replacing it with other sources of energy.
In addition, the global health crisis led to a decline in coal demand last year. This decline is expected to be reflected in the future of the industry, as it is likely that the demand for coal will continue to decline with the continuation of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On the other hand, many developing countries still rely heavily on the use of coal as fuel, and it is expected that these countries will continue to use coal to overcome financial difficulties and facilitate economic development.
Globally, many countries are striving to reduce carbon emissions and achieve energy sustainability. This trend could have a positive impact on the coal industry, as switching to renewable energies could reduce dependence on coal and encourage the use of alternative energy sources.
The coal industry faces great challenges in the modern world, and demand for it is likely to decline in the future. However, many countries still need coal as a fuel, and the industry may continue to transform and develop to meet demand through the use of modern technology and improvement of various processes.