Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
possesses the world's third largest deposits. Domestic demand for coal leapt
almost 10% in 2011 alone, compared to an increase of 2.7% for crude oil in
the same year. China's coal-fired growth also comes at a time when efforts to
tackle global warming have become a major global priority. Experts predict Ch-
ina may hit 'peak coal' - the point of maximum production, after which the in-
dustry will fall into decline - as early as 2020, or even earlier.
Public protests - sometimes violent - against polluting industries have prolif-
erated in recent years across China and have scored a number of notable vic-
tories, including the 2012 demonstrations in Shifang (Sichuan) which led to the
cancellation of a planned US$1.6 billion copper smelting facility.
China Dialogue
(
www.chinadialogue.net
)
is a resourceful dual-language
website that seeks to promote debate on China's immense environmental
challenges.
