CHINA FACES A COAL HEATING CRISIS

Not since the 19th century has there been a coal smog crisis like what is occurring today in China. Black toxic clouds can be seen from space drifting from China across the Pacific Ocean to California.

These smog clouds are much more than an unpleasant haze as they are laden with microscopic particles of chemicals that cause cancer and diseases of the lungs and heart. Consequently acid rain falls on one third of China's land.

Most of the seven principle rivers are being poisoned, and a quarter of the Chinese population has no clean drinking water and a third of them breathe polluted air.

And the situation is going to get much worse. China plans to build 500 new coal-fired power stations, adding to the other 2,000 mostly inefficient plants that emit vast amounts of smoke, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere.

While the coal rush continues unabated some pockets of Chinese citizens are protesting against spent much of their lives in a toxic environment.

China's "coal capital" Datong is one of filthiest towns in China that is situated in the middle of the nation's coal belt in Shanxi province where more coal is mined every year than in Britain, Russia and Germany combined.

Cancer rates are soaring and it's estimated that China's rush to produced more dirty energy results in 400,000 premature deaths nationwide every year because of pollution.

But any protests are likely to go unnoticed as reported by the China Youth Daily 90% of mayors and local cadres opposed any moves to protect the environment that might slow the economy.

The nation's hunger for energy appears insatiable. Oil costs too much to import while nuclear power is a distant option. Giant hydroelectric projects, such as the Three Gorges Dam, generate a mere fraction of the demand. Wind power and other alternative technologies make a minimum impact.

So China is digging furiously and fast in more than 21,000 mines. Vice-premier Zeng Peiyan proudly announced that coal output had doubled in the past five years. The nation will use 2.5 billion tons in 2007.

Along with the impressive production record the potent statistic that China has the world's worst casualty rate among miners. China's media admitted to 3,818 deaths in 2,456 accidents underground in 2006.

However, journalists say the real figure is higher because some disasters are covered up by mine bosses and local party leaders. DPM