When coal is burned, it undergoes combustion, a chemical reaction that involves the rapid oxidation of the fuel. During this process, the carbon present in the coal combines with oxygen from the air to form carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas. Similarly, when fossil fuels such as gasoline or diesel are burned in vehicles, they also release CO2 into the atmosphere.
The release of carbon into the air from burning coal and automobile exhaust contributes to the problem of climate change. Carbon dioxide is a potent greenhouse gas, meaning it traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere, causing global temperatures to rise. This rise in temperature leads to various adverse effects, including melting polar ice caps, rising sea levels, changes in weather patterns, and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires.
