The Ethics of Coal as a Resource

The Ethics of Coal as a Resource

In the year 2011, it's obvious that the use of coal for energy is a relic of America's past. The United States wastes millions, if not billions of dollars on researching the new innovation to the industry known as "clean coal". America is constantly battling the negative effects burning coal has on our environment, and the people that share it. The present-day day disaster known as the Kingston Ash Spill in Tennessee is a perfect example of how dangerous coal use can be. How can something that produces known carcinogens still be in use in modern day society?

Ever since the beginning of civilization, coal has been used as a form of fuel, as well as a heating element for smelting metals. However, it wasn't until the Industrial Revolution, which started in England during the 18th Century that coal was being mined on a mass scale. Coal was being used to power the engines for both steamboats and trains. This improvement in technology allowed for an easier method of trade and transportation. Coal is a fossil fuel, which was created by the remains of vegetation that accumulated in swamps during the prehistoric age. Under intense heat and pressure the decaying vegetation became coal.

Throughout the Industrial Revolution, and into the present day, coal has been used to provide electricity for our homes and businesses. Coal is burned in a furnace which in turn heats a boiler. The steam produced from this process rotates turbines, creating electricity. In fact, 49% of America's energy comes from coal. At the same time, 68.7% of Chinas energy is derived from coal. Coal is also used as a heat source for the making of steel, because it is one of the only resources that can burn hot and long enough to melt metal. It is also relatively cheap. According to the World Coal Association, there is enough coal to last us 118 years at current rate of production. The United States has the largest amount of coal deposits in the world. To make a comparison, the amount of oil found in the Middle East, is similar to the amount of coal we have here, in the United States. Therefore, taking advantage of our country's largest natural resource only makes sense.

However, while coal is still very plentiful, it is a non-renewable resource. This means that once coal reserves start to run out, we will be forced to mine less accessible and more dangerous coal reserves. This is why it is important to research alternative energy sources now, rather than in the future when it will be too late. Furthermore, the burning of coal for energy releases huge amounts of pollution in the air, leading to global warming. The emissions released from a coal burning power plant have been linked to long term health problems to those who live nearby. The process of mining coal itself is very dangerous, and results in thousands of casualties every year. Finally, the mining of coal destroys natural habitats, and literally leaves scars on the face of the Earth.

Some concepts that will be used include the stockholder vs. stakeholder theory of business. This is an argument on whether a business exists purely to make profit, or if they owe something to the local community and their employees instead.

The term "clean coal", is nothing more than a marketing phrase used by the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE). There is no criterion for what qualifies as clean coal. In fact, "clean coal" can mean whatever the company wants it to. The ACCCE is funded by mining companies, power plants, and railroads. They have spent $40 million campaigning for clean coal. This clearly shows that coal companies are acting in self-interest. They only care about protecting their image in a way that promotes the fact that they are "environmentally conscious". In today's society where "going green" is considered the best way to market one's self, these coal companies are cashing in on the craze.

As the demand for coal consumption is diminishing in America, consumption continues to grow exponentially in China. The Powder River Basin in Gillette, Wyoming is responsible for 40% of all coal mined in the United States. The coal from this reserve would travel by railroad to Longview, Washington. From there, it would be loaded onto a cargo ship and sent across the Pacific Ocean to China. It is estimated that there is about 77 billion tons of recoverable coal left in the Powder River Basin. This would take society 100 years to burn through; however, at the rate China is consuming coal it would only take 25 years. The coal from Wyoming is mostly surface coal and is acquired by machines excavating the resource from the Earth. Therefore it is less dangerous than underground mining, since this excavation does not require people to risk their life mining it. Nonetheless, once the coal