What is the societal cost of coal?

The societal cost of coal is immense. The most significant cost of coal comes from its damage to human health. Burning coal produces pollutants including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, mercury, arsenic, and lead, all of which can contribute to a variety of serious health problems including asthma, heart disease, cancer, neurological disorders, and premature death. Coal mining, meanwhile, can contribute to environmental damage, including to land, air, and water sources, which can also have negative effects on health. In addition, coal use is a major contributor to climate change and its effects, including extreme weather events, famine, displacement of populations, and loss of species. Finally, the disproportionate impact of coal extraction and use tends to fall on poorer and marginalized communities, resulting in a further cost to social and economic justice.