The interaction between dust and plasma leads to a variety of physical and dynamical consequences for both the dust and the plasma. One important consequence for the plasma is the effect on its charge state. While dust could act as a sink for the plasma by providing a recombination site for the electrons and ions, it could also act as a source of electrons in numerous ways. Here we discuss this latter problem. In particular we consider the role of photoelectric emission and thermionic emission from dust in enhancing the electron density in several environments, in each case considering both a cosmic one and a terrestrial one. With regard to photoelectric emission we briefly review some of our earlier work pertaining to interstellar molecular clouds and Coulomb crystals. With regard to thermionic emission, we present preliminary results of ongoing work pertaining to hydrocarbon combustion flames and dusty circumstellar shells around carbon rich red giant stars. ©1998 American Institute of Physics.