Coal: A Vital Source of Power & the Impact of Environmental Regulations - Essay Sample

Introduction

Coal is the largest source of power in most countries worldwide including the United States of America (Dale & Wilcoxen 320). Therefore most individuals have obtained their jobs in coal mining industries and other related industries. However, there have been significant concerns regarding quitting the use of coal by nations like America whereby more laws are being put in place to protect the environment and prevent unfavorable climatic changes. Some of the environmental regulations result in the closure of some industries which leaves most employees jobless (Dale & Wilcoxen 320). This paper will concentrate on explaining the reasons as to why I would vote for a bill aimed at increasing taxes for all Americans to benefit the individuals who lose their jobs due to environmental regulations.

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Coal extraction is at a peak in America, and most individuals are dependent on coal for employment. Environmental regulations have caused the agencies protecting the environment to control the carbon emission rate from most industries involved with coal production. As a result, some people have lost their jobs and may not be able to secure other jobs quickly. Henceforth, most of them are left unemployed and hopeless as the job that was earning them livelihood is terminated. Therefore, a step by the Government to support them would be of great significance.

Environmental regulations are essential as they ensure that the environment is kept clean and safe from harmful carbon emissions from industries. The carbon emissions result in detrimental issues such as respiratory problems, disparities in the level of oxygen in the atmosphere and increase the rates of climatic change. Environmental acts control the level of toxic pollutants in the air such as mercury and sulfur which may affect the quality of air and leads to health complications in living organisms (MacIntyre 32). Therefore, laws such as the Clean Air Act are essential as they ensure that harmful air gases are minimized. However, to implement such laws, many individuals are left jobless as their industries are affected by the laws and their livelihood is affected. Therefore, a bill aiming at providing unemployment benefit would ensure hope and a good life for the jobless and at the same time protect the environment from harmful gases.

Excessive carbon emissions are causing climate change as evidenced by high temperatures and rising sea level. America needs to protect the environment at all costs and save the lives that may be destroyed due to the extreme effects of climate change (Dale & Wilcoxen 320). It is with no doubt that the only way to protect the environment from harmful gases is through regulating human activities and source of energy. Use of coal can be replaced with renewable sources for the provision of energy. Therefore, the existing regulations should be respected, and more should be implemented to ensure our country is free from the detriments of climate change.

Conclusion

In conclusion, extraction and combustion of coal results in harmful emissions those lead to environmental destruction. As a result, laws have to be put in place by the government to minimize emissions and protect the environment. Therefore, if the Government were to increase taxes to use the money on benefiting those affected by unemployment as a result of environmental laws, I would certainly vote for that bill. It would support unemployed individuals from coal industries, and the environmental regulations would still be useful.

Works Cited

Jorgenson, Dale W., and Peter J. Wilcoxen. "Environmental regulation and US economic growth." The Rand Journal of Economics (2009): 314-340. https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Jorgenson%2C+Dale+W.%2C+and+Peter+J.+Wilcoxen.+%22Environmental+regulation+and+US+economic+growth.%22+The+Rand+Journal+of+Economics+%282009%29%3A+314-340.+&btnG=

MacIntyre, Alasdair. "Regulation: A substitute for morality." Hastings Center Report (2010): 31-33. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3560503?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents