The Economist (April 19)
Coal is a “cheap, ubiquitous and flexible fuel” that will be “the fuel of the future, unfortunately.” Although it remains very dirty, coal “offers the best chance for poor countries wanting to get rich” and even for some rich countries, like Japan and Germany, seeking nuclear alternatives.
Tags: Cheap, Coal, Dirty, Fuel, Future, Germany, Japan, Nuclear alternatives, Rich, Ubiquitous
Los Angeles Times (January 6)
“Societal change usually happens slowly, even once it’s clear there’s a problem.” This is not necessarily a bad thing. A leisurely pace allows a consensus to be established, eliminating backlash. “With climate change, however, there simply isn’t time to waste…. It’s a fight between human beings and physics. And physics is entirely uninterested in human timetables. Physics couldn’t care less if precipitous action raises gas prices or damages the coal industry in swing states. It couldn’t care less whether putting a price on carbon slowed the pace of development in China or made agribusiness less profitable.”
Tags: Agribusiness, Carbon, China, Climate change, Coal, Pace, Societal change
Forbes (February 12, 2012)
U.S. utilities are rushing to close coal-fired plants, especially less efficient plants that are over 40 years old. “Coal now provides about half of this country’s electric generation. But the energy picture is changing with the pending environmental rules and the newfound wealth of inexpensive shale gas.” In 25 years, coal’s share could be halved and natural gas could account for about 40% of electricity needs.
Tags: Coal, Electricity, Environment, Gas, U.S.
The Financial Times (July 19)
What a difference a decade makes! In 2009, China consumed 2,252 million tons of oil equivalent, approximately 4% more than the U.S. In 2000, the U.S. used twice as much energy as China! China has also replaced the U.S. as Saudi Arabia’s biggest oil customer and Japan as the world’s largest importer of coal.
What a difference a decade makes! China passed the U.S., consuming 2,252 million tons of oil equivalent in 2009, approximately 4% more than the U.S. In 2000, the U.S. used twice as much energy as China! China has also become the world’s largest importer of coal and Saudi Arabia’s biggest market for oil exports.
