For centuries, Coal has been serving industries to meet energy needs. The decline of coal as fuel resource started in the mid 20th century when large reserviors of oil and gas were discovered. Despite the environmental degradation by coal combustion most large economics of the world are dependent on its use.

Countries like the US, China, India, Malaysia, Ruissa and Germany produce power by the burning coal. The Kyoto Protocol has put a lid on the direct use of this fossil fuel. The entire civilised world, including Pakistan but excluding the US, are signatories to this agreement.

As the US meets around 56 percent of its energy needs by the direct combustion of coal, it refused to be dictated to by the Kyoto Protocol. Insteas, the Obama administration launched a  programme called Futuregen to control emissions from coal-fired plants. Oxygen is introduced at the top of the combustion chamber to convert carbon monoxide (CO) to carbon dioxide (CO2), which is emission of gases that cause the green house effect.

For complete story, click: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/opinion/19-Aug-2015/use-of-coal-in-the-21st-century