Economist Podcasts A friend of mines: Asia’s coal habit
Aug 26, 2019
Miranda Johnson, The Economist's Southeast Asia correspondent, delves into the region's staggering coal consumption and its conflict with climate goals, highlighting China’s renewable shifts versus India’s coal reliance. Will Brown, focused on West Africa, discusses Liberia's economic decline post-aid withdrawal, reflecting on corruption and societal struggles under President Weah. They also touch on cruise tourism in the Caribbean, critiquing its limited benefits for local communities and the manufactured cultural experiences offered to tourists.
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Asia's Coal Dependency
- Asia's reliance on coal is a growing concern, accounting for three-quarters of global consumption.
- This dependence is driven by countries like China and India, despite their awareness of environmental issues.
Coal's Appeal in Asia
- Coal's affordability and abundance make it an attractive energy source for rapid development in Asia.
- India and China are key players due to their large populations and high coal consumption.
India and China's Coal Consumption
- India continues to build new coal plants to meet its growing electricity demand.
- While China's coal consumption remains high, it has decreased since its 2013 peak.