in a world where energy battles rage, a tale unfolds of a dirty yet indispensable resource: coal. we must look past our predismissal of this ancient fuel and understand its crucial role. furthermore, to grasp the full scope, let's begin from zero knowledge and build up. to truly understand the environmental impact, one must dive into off-the-record reports ignored by mainstream discussions which paint a far darker picture than publicly admitted, shedding light on the devastating consequences often swept under the rug.