| Soaring Chinese energy prices, mixed with reports of | | | | reorganizations in the coal industry, China closed more |
| environmental degradation, have all led to the Chinese | | | | than 1,000 coal mines, even with the hastened |
| energy crisis. This has caused many outside nations to | | | | development of natural gas. |
| believe that China, as a growing nation, is doing all in its | | | | In China, as in the rest of the world, fossil fuels will take |
| power to obtain a centralized form of global energy, | | | | precedent in energy production for the foreseeable |
| with complete disregard for the environment. China | | | | future. What type of fossil fuel makes more sense for |
| has risen up as a major factor in global energy without | | | | china, however? Are we looking at a coal future for |
| having the proper governmental regulations in place. | | | | the country, or perhaps a nation powered by oil and |
| The lack of regulations is seen by many as an | | | | natural gas? One theory places China's short and |
| indication of China's inability to govern their state | | | | medium term dependence on coal for heat and |
| coherently. | | | | electric power. This idea of heavy coal use, however, |
| Energy is not just a technical issue; rather, it's a | | | | would likely cause major environmental costs and |
| diplomatic, political, and economic issue. In China, the | | | | issues. Another theory is that China will rely on liquid |
| long going energy crisis continues to worsen, as supply | | | | fuels such as oil and gas. Most countries that have |
| falls below acceptable levels and the countries' people | | | | made their way up the economic latter started with |
| are many times unaware of what's truly going on. | | | | coal, later moving to more efficient forms of fossil fuels |
| Meng Zang, of Miami University, believes that a lot of | | | | (this seems to be the organic path that developing |
| China's downfall comes from their lack of education on | | | | nations take). This would definitely be better for the |
| the energy crisis. "(In China,) we don't have that much | | | | environment, and would emit about 60% less carbon |
| environmental education, but it's just our human nature," | | | | dioxide per unit of electrical output - but the costs |
| Zhang said. Children must be raised by environmentally | | | | would likely rise. For now, the jury is still out on China's |
| conscious parents who lead by example. | | | | path to a better future in energy. |
| When the Chinese energy crisis began, demand for | | | | In my estimation, the best bet for China would be to |
| energy in China was fairly low. From June 2006 to | | | | take on this energy crisis with what they know best - |
| 2008, energy consumption in the nation remained | | | | coal. This would reduce pressure on world oil markets |
| tense. In 2008, however, there was a drop in energy | | | | (from China), and would be quite feasible given the |
| production. Growth had been stunted in the energy | | | | country's extensive coal resources. Though emissions |
| sector, and the trend extended through the summer of | | | | would be worsened, the country would ultimately shift |
| 2009. This caused major issues in China: | | | | to oil in the long term, or even nuclear energy as they |
| 1.) all of the major oil refineries were now filled, and, | | | | pulled themselves out of this energy rut. China already |
| 2.) many of the country's oil ceased production. | | | | has ambitious plans for nuclear power, and if they can |
| According to Zhang Guobao, the nation seized the | | | | work with coal for the time being, it is estimated that |
| opportunity to adjust the energy structure and do | | | | there will be more nuclear power plants built in China |
| away with their outdated production capacity. By the | | | | by 2030 than all other countries combined. This |
| end of 2009, China had lost power generators to the | | | | strategy, to me, seems to make the most sense. |
| tune of 60 Million kilowatts. With the onslaught of | | | | |