China's coal use cost it $248 billion

BEIJING,

According to Greenpeace, China's reliance on cheap coal to fuel its double-digit economic growth cost a hidden $248 billion last year through damage to the environment, strain on the health care system and manipulation of the commodity's price.

 

In addition, coal-fired power plants and smelters have also polluted China's water and air, resulted in massive deaths caused by accidents and respiratory problems due to coal dust and other particulates.

 

China's coal mines are the world's deadliest with numerous fires, floods and other disasters killing an average of 13 miners a day.  The death rate of Chinese miners per million tons of coal extracted is 70 times higher than their American counterparts.  Many accidents occur in small mines with low safety standards or in mines illegally operated.

 

The report urged China to phase in taxes on energy use and emissions, ease price controls on coal and create insurance funds for those harmed by mining accidents.  A fair price for coal will ensure it is being used more efficiently, increase the competitiveness in China's companies and also motivate development in renewable energy sources.

 

The government of China has the opportunity to make improvements to the environment as well as saving hundreds, if not thousands of lives lost due to these coal mines. 

 

Latest views

Marked as favourite