As the world moves to combat climate change, it's increasingly doubtful that coal will continue to be a viable energy source, because of its high greenhouse gas emissions. But coal played a vital role in the Industrial Revolution and continues to fuel some of the world's largest economies. This series looks at coal's past, present and uncertain future, starting today with how it's formed.
History
Citation
Ville, S. (2016). Coal was king of the Industrial Revolution, but not always the path to a modern economy. The Conversation, 9 June 1-3.