<p>Alongside oil and natural gas, coal is the most abundant non-renewable fossil fuel resource currently utilised worldwide. Although continuous efforts have been made in recent decades to replace the use of coal with various alternative energy sources (hydro, nuclear, wind, solar), coal is expected to remain the most important source of heat and electricity in the world for the foreseeable future. Despite the undeniable importance of coal to the world, its use causes serious damage to the environment and human health. In this lecture text, the destructive effects of coal mining and its utilisation on the environment (air, soil and water pollution, loss of forests, destruction of habitats, noise pollution, dust, vibrations, chemical leaks, erosion, sedimentation, abandonment of coal mining sites) will be discussed in detail. Particular attention is paid to the health effects of coal use (respiratory effects, cardiovascular damage, cancer and other chronic diseases, reproductive health, neurological degeneration, mental health and social damage, radiation sickness, etc.).</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>