China's Rising Coal Consumption Amidst Record Heat Underscores Need for Renewable Energy

Despite leading the world in renewable energy installations, China is increasing its reliance on coal to meet the electricity demands caused by heat waves. China burns more coal annually than the rest of the world combined and has been expanding coal mines and building more coal-fired power plants. This is driven by concerns over energy security and domestic politics, as well as the need to maintain a stable electricity supply. While China is also a leader in solar and wind power, the majority of its new coal-fired power plants are being built in conjunction with renewable energy projects to ensure continuous power transmission. The heavy use of coal in China also contributes to methane emissions from underground coal mining, exacerbating climate change.