The True Story of
Coal
Coal has shaped human history for centuries, but what is coal, how is it formed, and why does it still matter today? Enlightening, educational, and surprising, this animated video explains the true nature of coal and its immense benefits to society.
The popular narrative that coal is obsolete couldn’t be further from the truth; this is the true story of coal and its enduring power to build, sustain, and advance our quality of life.

Alex Epstein, The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels
IEA, Coal Mid-Year Update 2025
Investopedia, How Does Industrialization Affect Wages?
NMA, The Future Begins With Mining
Our World in Data, GDP Per Capita
SME, Coal’s Importance to the World
Statista, Annual life expectancy in the United States 1850-2100
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities
U.S. Department of Energy, Clean Coal Is Crucial for American Jobs, Energy Security, and National Supply Chains
University of Chicago, Energy Transitions in U.S. History, 1800–2019
World Economic Forum, The 200-year history of mankind’s energy transitions
World Population Review, Coal Reserves by Country 2025
Join the Conversation
Join one of the most impassioned debates in the country.