China is planning to increase coal production by a reported 300 million tons this year. Observers say the government hopes such a plan will renew the country’s slow-growing economy. However, critics say increasing coal production will hurt efforts to reduce climate-changing carbon emissions. The amount of the reported increase would represent seven percent of China’s total coal production in 2021 --- 4.1 billion tons. China is one of the biggest investors in wind and solar energy. But recently its leaders called for more coal-burning power after economic growth fell last year. Power shortages caused power failures and factory shutdowns. Russia’s attack on Ukraine added to worries that foreign oil and coal supplies might be disrupted. Coal is important for “energy security,” government officials said at an April 20 meeting that approved plans to expand production. That information was reported by the business news publication Caixin. The ruling party also is building power plants to help grow China’s economy. World governments have promised to try to limit warming of the atmosphere to 2 degrees Celsius above the level of pre-industrial times. Leaders say what they really want is a limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius. Scientists say even if the world hits the 2-degree goal, the world still faces threats of higher seas, stronger storms and extinctions of plants and animals. Scientists also expect more people to die from heat, air pollution and infectious diseases. China is the top producer and consumer of coal. The Chinese government has avoided joining other governments that promised to end the use of coal-burning power.
