To What Extent Should We Use Coal For Future Generation Of Energy

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Should we use coal for future generation of electricity in New Zealand?

New Zealand has a rich supply of coal, and it generates 7% of our electricity. Despite this, coal is dirty and has a number of negative impacts upon our environment. Electricity from coal must be stopped. We are lucky in New Zealand because we have other natural resources such as geothermal, solar and hydroelectric. We must focus and develop the use of these other resources before more damage is done to our environment through using coal.

Burning coal releases carbon that would otherwise be stored in the ground. Coal is made up of carbon, water and minerals, and is combustible. It is formed from plants that have fallen down in peat swamps millions of years ago. Over time they are covered and buried by heavy rock. The weight of the rocks and heat on the ground turns the plant matter into coal. We have a lot of areas in New Zealand that have large supplies of coal, which is why it has always been used for producing electricity. However New Zealand has other viable options for power generation that are safer and have less environmental impact. we should use other alternative ways of producing electricity. New …show more content…

Electricity is produced by using the force of flowing or falling white water. It may be more expensive than coal to produce, but it leaves the environment clean free of air pollution. We also have the resources of geo-thermal which is the same process, but it doesn't let off carbon dioxide. Another form of electricity generation is through solar which is not used much in New Zealand; although people are starting to make choices to produce their own solar for their homes. Because we have high sunshine hours, this should be used as it is clean to produce electricity. Although it is expensive to set up, once those costs have been made, then it is

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