What is coal primarily used for and what advantages and disadvantages does it have?

Coal is primarily used for electricity generation and as a fuel in industrial processes, such as steel manufacturing. Its advantages include being abundant and relatively inexpensive, providing a stable energy supply. However, coal has significant disadvantages, including high carbon emissions contributing to climate change, air pollution that poses health risks, and environmental degradation from mining practices. Transitioning to cleaner energy sources is increasingly seen as essential to mitigate these impacts.