Coal-A Sustainable Energy Source for Meeting Global Energy Demand till 2030

By all accounts, the modern sense of the words ‘Sustainability of Coal’ entered the lexicon in 1987 with the publication of Common Future, by the United Nations World Commission on Environment and development (also known as the Brundtland commission after its chair, Norwegian diplomat Gro Harlem Brundtland). That report defined sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Or, in the words of countless kindergarten teachers, “Don't take more than your share.” Mahatma Gandhi once said: "The Earth provides-enough to satisfy everyone's needs but not any one's greed." The term sustainability nowadays is commonly used in reference to energy sources such as Coal, oil & natural gas which are prime non-renewable energy sources. Besides economic and social requirements, sustainable energy depends on reliability, efficiency, resilience, adaptability and responsible environmental management. Coal production, based on reserves for more than 100 years, provides reliable economic energy, combined with an innovative and effective environmental management regime. Although renewable energy resources are a priority for the future, hydro, wind, solar, biomass, wave and tidal power are not yet viable enough to produce sufficient base load power. This paper emphasizes on Sustainable Development and utilization of the limited non-renewable energy sources by providing for the present, without compromising the needs and also for the life of future generations.