Global CO2 emissions from Coal
[Issue #28] This week, we will discuss the enduring impact of coal on climate change and explore the historical coal consumption trends and emissions from coal mining activities. Let's dive in ⬇️
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Coal, once the dominant fuel source, has cast a long shadow on our climate.
Despite being surpassed by oil and gas in many regions, it remains the largest culprit of CO2 emissions, spewing nearly 15 billion tons annually in both 2021 and 2022.
Our today’s visual delves into the emissions associated with coal, both from its historical consumption and current mining activities.
A Brief History of Coal Consumption
The Industrial Revolution (1800s): The 19th century saw a relentless rise in coal consumption as factories, ships, and homes relied on it for power. This led to a surge in CO2 emissions, with the United States and Europe, the epicenters of industrialization, being the primary emitters.
World Wars (1914-1945): While devastating, the World Wars caused only temporary dips in CO2 emissions. Post-war reconstruction quickly reignited coal use.
Post-War Boom and the Rise of Oil (1945-1970s): The post-war era witnessed a renewed surge in coal use, challenged by the emergence of oil. Easier to transport and offering higher energy density, oil began to displace coal in some sectors. However, a population boom led to a continued rise in overall CO2 emissions.
China's Economic Reform (1970s): China's economic reforms in the late 1970s marked a turning point. Its reliance on cheap and abundant coal for industrial growth skyrocketed. This surge propelled China's development but also made it the world's largest CO2 emitter, a position it holds today.
Emissions from Coal Mining
According to Climatetrace.org, over 4 billion tons of carbon dioxide are emitted from coal mining activities annually, with 65% originating from China alone.
Currently, over 2,700 active coal mines operate worldwide, with 40% concentrated in China, followed by the United States at 16%.
The top emitters from coal mining are China (2612 million tons), the United States (239 million tons), and Russia (188 million tons). India follows at 5th with 91 million tons of emissions.
Interestingly, Australia leads in per capita emissions from coal mining, followed by China. Major economies like the United States and India rank much lower at 11th and 34th, respectively.
The urgency to address climate change has spurred a global shift towards cleaner energy sources. While coal use is declining in some developed countries, the challenge remains significant, particularly for developing nations reliant on coal for energy security.
… and that’s our Insight Scoop for this week! Hope you learned something new today :)
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