Coal

Abstract

Energy Demand. Despite great improvements in the technical efficiency with which energy has been used to generate output of goods and services, the world’s demand for primary energy has increased sharply since the 1980s. In the decade 1986–96, the world’s consumption of primary energy rose by 18 per cent, and excluding the former USSR, it rose by 29 per cent (Table 10-1). Fast-growing developing countries, especially those in East Asia, spearheaded the growth in energy demand. Most importantly, China’s consumption of primary energy rose by no less than 54 per cent from 1986 to 1996. However, large increases took place also in advanced economies. Primary energy consumption in Japan rose by 38 per cent, and in the USA by over 22 per cent. Indeed, the USA’s share of global primary energy consumption rose from 24.5 per cent in 1986 to 25.5 per cent in 1996.

Ordinary people can’t dig for oil, but anyone can dig for coal.

(Shenhua official)

We are in an era of unprecedented consolidation.

(Brian Gilbertson, Chairman, Billiton mining corporation, 6 September 2000)

The best ruler is unknown to his subjects,

next comes the ruler loved and praised,

next comes the ruler being feared,

next comes the ruler disdained.

The best ruler is leisurely and carefree

seldom issuing orders.

When the affairs of state are properly dealt with,

the people all say,

‘It should have happened to us like this.’

(Lao Zi, The book of Dao and De)