Why does burning coal contribute to global warming?

Burning coal contributes to global warming because it is a fossil fuel that releases large quantities of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere when burned.1

As a potent greenhouse gas, CO₂ molecules trap heat by allowing short-wavelength solar radiation to reach the Earth’s surface while absorbing the long-wave infrared radiation that the surface emits back toward space. By reemitting a portion of this energy downward, CO₂ causes the lower atmosphere to remain warmer than it would otherwise be.1

The burning of coal is the single largest anthropogenic driver of climate change, primarily due to its widespread use in electricity generation. Given the substantial evidence linking these emissions to rising global temperatures, many climate scientists advocate for an urgent transition toward renewable energies.1