China Down To 12-Day Supply Of Coal - Had Been At 15 In March - News.com AU

[hatrack]

CHINA only has enough coal for 12 days of consumption, three days less than a month ago, state media reported Wednesday, sounding the alarm bells over the nation's most important source of energy.

In certain parts of China, such as densely populated Hebei province in the north, reserves are down to less than a week, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the China Electricity Regulatory Commission.

In the period since early March, coal reserves have slumped by 12 per cent to 46.7 million tonnes, according to the commission.

Reasons for the shortage were "multi-dimensional," the commission was quoted as saying, without elaborating.

EDIT

http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,23636,23586655-31037,00.html

[GliderGuider]

1. Sharon Astyk's right -- this is the crash we've been dreading.

It's happening in different ways all around the world. We don't notice it because our time horizons are too short, but hard drives and spreadsheets have no such psychological bias.

It's here.

[hogwyld]

2. Well, they have plenty of people

I'm sure they can make a bunch of human sized gerbil wheels...

[NNadir]

3. On some level, that's very insensitive.

Chinese per capita energy use is 1/12th of the average American.

One would of course, like China to ban coal. Most rational people want a coal phase out. But one would like to see it phased as quickly as possible, and not have people thrown into darkness and cold.

I note that the matter would be easier if richer countries (per capita) were committed to phasing out coal, but the western nations are none to bright in this regard. For instance, Germany has committed to coal forever, but has no idea really whether they will be able to fine the coal for their plans.

Probably they won't.

And when Putin's boys shut off the gas, there's going to be hell to pay.

[hogwyld]

4. Didn't mean to sound insensitive

I guess I forgot the :sarcasm: thingy as I thought it was obvious.

[XemaSab]

6. So they only have to spend 1/12 the time on the gerbil wheel?

:shrug:

Awesome! Let's sign them up! :D

[losthills]

5. Oh noooo!!!!

Does this mean that we are soon going to experience a novelty cigarette lighter shortage?