Explaining the increase in coal consumption worldwide

[sl8]

From http://theconversation.com/explaining-the-increase-in-coal-consumption-worldwide-111045

Explaining the increase in coal consumption worldwide
February 24, 2019 2.52pm EST
Author: Carine Sebi, Assistant Professor - Economics, Grenoble École de Management (GEM)
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Published in December 2018, the recent report of the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicates that global coal consumption is on the rise again (+1% compared to 2017).

This is an alarming trend, because despite increasing international awareness of the risks of global warming due to greenhouse gas emissions, some major economies are unable to substitute their coal-based electricity with less carbon-intensive energies. Indeed, coal is mainly used for electricity production, with two-thirds of world consumption going to electricity production; this proportion rises to three-quarters if China and India, which traditionally have more widespread uses, are excluded; the rest of consumption goes to industry (mainly steel).

Coal remains the most polluting source of energy: it generally emits twice as much CO₂ as natural gas, its main competitor.

How can we explain the increase in coal consumption in this context of climate change? We will rely on the various databases issued by energy consulting company Enerdata to decipher the major global trends.



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[NickB79]

1. It's a jobs program

It employs millions of poorly educated, rural people. The alternative is mass unemployment and potential social unrest. Countries like China dare not entertain that possibly.

Long after it's no longer viable economically, coal keeps chugging along.