coal burning
1
3.2
- noun
- /koʊl ˈbɜrnɪŋ/
:
quema de carbón
- The process of coal burning in power plants releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Examples
-
Uniting end-use efficiencies with local renewable resources can reduce coal burning.
Academic text (2007) -
In this way, developing nations can be helped to avoid much of the local environmental degradation that has been associated with the rapid expansion of coal burning to satisfy growing needs.
Academic text (1990) -
And also coal burning power plants.
-
From a northern perspective, the key question is whether either country can reduce the growth of coal burning in the next few decades.
Academic text (1995) -
Industrial coal burning was the primary source of atmospheric arsenic.
Academic text (2008) -
Air pollution, due primarily to coal burning, is confined to industrial pockets but is serious nonetheless.
Academic text (1993) -
No one denies that dependence on coal burning power plants results in some externalities.
-
We can monitor it, but we do not know where the gaseous wastes from coal burning will go or their long-term effects.
Academic text (1990) -
Each year, coal burning contributes to an estimated 178,000 premature deaths in China's cities.
Academic text (1999) -
Emissions from U.S. coal-fired power generation and industrial coal burning constitute about one-third of all national CO2 emissions.
Academic text (1990)
Synonyms
1
3.9
Using coal for heat or electricity
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'the process of burning coal' is directly compositional from 'coal' (a fossil fuel) + 'burning' (the process of combustion). This noun phrase follows a common, cross-linguistic pattern (noun + -ing/gerund) describing an action or process, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Coal burning comes from the simple image of putting coal on a fire and the burning making heat or power in homes and factories. That's why the phrase means the process of burning coal to make 'energy' and is used when people talk about its effects like 'air pollution'.