0 years. (Coal Facts) Some of the major producers of hard coal include China 1,029 megatons (mt.), United States 914 mt., India 290 mt., and Australia 225 mt. (Coal Facts) Before coal was used to generate fuel, it was considered to be a widespread and abundant resource. Today the supply of coal has decreased significantly and it is acknowledged that there is not enough coal to last forever if the current consumption rate continues. Each year the world uses coal with little consideration of how much if left and how much longer it will last. Consumption rates of global hard coal throughout the world were 2,721 megatons (mt.) in 1979, 3,579 mt. in 1989, and 3,465 mt. in 1999. (Coal Facts) Uranium is also a natural element on Earth. It is found everywhere in the earths surface. It is a metal and looks like lead. It is believed that when the earth was forming and was only particles of dust floating in space coming together, nearby stars exploded and let off uranium. The earths gravity pulled in the uranium and it was mixed together with the dirt and other particles. That is how we have uranium today. (Thomas) As of 1977 known uranium reserves contained 690,000 tons. This includes about 90,000 tons produced as by-products of phosphate and copper mining. The current price for a pound of unenriched uranium stands at $43.00.(Webb) It is hypothesized that undiscovered uranium deposits total 3,760,000 tons. The potential for exploitation of these deposits will become cost-competitive as uranium increases in price. (Webb)A nuclear power plant converts the natural resource, uranium, into power to supply energy to the world. (Till) Nuclear power is considered one of the United States main and cleanest sources of energy today. Nuclear power plants generated 17.1% of the worlds electricity in 1998. (Coal Facts)A coal power plant converts the natural resource, coal, into fuel to supply power for the world. Coal was used to generate 38.4% ...
