Some commodities command massive economic, social, and political influence. This title examines the business around coal, one of the world's most important sources of energy. It explores the history of the coal industry, coal's environmental impact and what is being done to mitigate it, and the future of the coal industry and coal technology. Features include essential facts, a glossary, selected bibliography, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.