China uses nearly as much coal as rest of the world combined

Those searching for answers to China’s chronic smog should consider this: Coal consumption in the world’s second-largest economy is nearly on par with the rest of the world combined.

That’s according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which released data Tuesday showing Chinese coal usage growing 9% in 2011 to 325 million tons. That means Chinese coal demand accounts for 47% of global consumption.

The world’s fastest-growing major economy relies on the cheap fossil fuel to supply 70% of its energy generation. But China is paying a massive environmental price for using so much coal, the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions. It now contains seven of the 10 worst cities in the world for air pollution, and experts say the hazardous smog is costing the country billions of dollars in healthcare and lost productivity.

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David Pierson, Los Angeles Times via CHINA US Focus http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChinaUsFocus/~3/pO5z9z9wGcQ/