China is now a major importer of coal

[Dittohead not!]

Nations That Debate Coal Use Export It to Feed China’s Need

Even as developed countries close or limit the construction of coal-fired power plants out of concern over pollution and climate-warming emissions, coal has found a rapidly expanding market elsewhere: Asia, particularly China. At ports in Canada, Australia, Indonesia, Colombia and South Africa, ships are lining up to load coal for furnaces in China, which has evolved virtually overnight from a coal exporter to one of the world’s leading purchasers.

The price rose to $60 from $40 a ton five years ago to a high of $200 in 2008. Coal delivered to southern China currently sells for $114 per ton.

China, which was a perennial coal exporter until 2009, the first year that it imported more than it sent out, is expected to import up to 150 million tons this year.

Good economic news for the US as it struggles with the balance of trade, but not such good news from the standpoint of slowing down global climate change. We may as well learn to live with the results of coal burning, as nothing short of an unprecedented and highly unlikely global cooperation is going to slow it down.

Unless, of course, someone gets busy and perfects cold fusion.

 

[donsutherland1]

This is merely the latest example that an industry can be in a different stage of its life cycle in a different part of the world. Although the coal industry might be mature (or even declining) in the U.S. and Western Europe, it's still in its growth stages in China, on account of China's rapidly growing need for energy.

 

[Albert Di Salvo]

China opens at least one new coal fired power plant each week. At the same time China is a leader in Green Energy, new nuclear power plant designs, and offshore oil development in the waters off Cuba. China has contractually tied up natural resources around the world. China is hitting on all cylinders. America is paralyzed by political division.

 

[Dittohead not!]

China opens at least one new coal fired power plant each week. At the same time China is a leader in Green Energy, new nuclear power plant designs, and offshore oil development in the waters off Cuba. China has contractually tied up natural resources around the world. China is hitting on all cylinders. America is paralyzed by political division.

It does look that way, doesn't it? Get ready for the next superpower.

 

[Deuce]

It does look that way, doesn't it? Get ready for the next superpower.

It was bound to happen eventually. It sucks that they have to use so much coal, but with the rate they're expanding there just doesn't exist the manufacturing ability to run it all from cleaner sources.

 

[Dittohead not!]

It was bound to happen eventually. It sucks that they have to use so much coal, but with the rate they're expanding there just doesn't exist the manufacturing ability to run it all from cleaner sources.

No, it doesn't. at least not yet. They will come around eventually, but it will take time. Meanwhile, forget about mitigating the effects of global climate change. It is here to stay, and we might as well get used to it.

 

[American]

This is merely the latest example that an industry can be in a different stage of its life cycle in a different part of the world. Although the coal industry might be mature (or even declining) in the U.S. and Western Europe, it's still in its growth stages in China, on account of China's rapidly growing need for energy.

So when will China embrace green?

 

[Deuce]

So when will China embrace green?

They're building a lot more solar panels and wind turbines than we are. Of course, they're building a lot more of everything.

If they're smart, they'll be doing it as much as they're physically capable of. Their energy needs are going to be so massive that they'll be even more dependent upon foreign fossil fuels than we are if they aren't careful.

 

[American]

China opens at least one new coal fired power plant each week. At the same time China is a leader in Green Energy, new nuclear power plant designs, and offshore oil development in the waters off Cuba. China has contractually tied up natural resources around the world. China is hitting on all cylinders. America is paralyzed by political division.

How about some sources?

 

[American]

It does look that way, doesn't it? Get ready for the next superpower.

They'll need all that money to pay for their old people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub-replacement_fertility