Coal China’s Abundant Energy Resource: Economic Blessing or Plight ?

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/ SB10001424127887324094704579069983984013094 Coal China’s Abundant Energy Resource: Economic Blessing or Plight? Lesson Plan By Lynn Tilley, NBCT and OKAGE TC Library Media Specialist Comanche Elementary School Comanche, Oklahoma ltilley@comanche.k12.ok.us http://www.cpsok.org

http://themirrorinspires.com/chinas-dark-power/ Plight – a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation

All change and progress can bring with it both positive and negative repercussions. Repercussion – An unintended consequence sometimes occurring after an event or action - sometimes repercussions are unwelcome

In 1978, China’s economic reform era began and their GDP (Gross Domestic Product) began to rise slowly.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – An economic term – The total market value of all the goods and services produced within the borders of a nation during a year. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_in_China Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – An economic term – the total market value of all the goods and services produced within the borders of a nation during a year

http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=9751 The use of coal, an abundant resource for energy needs, rose as well.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/08/07/these-before-and-after-photos-of-shanghai-show-just-how-far-the-city-has-come-since-the-80s/http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/08/07/these-before-and-after-photos-of-shanghai-show-just-how-far-the-city-has-come-since-the-80s/ In 1992, Shanghai SEZ (Special Economic Zone) was created and a corresponding sharp rise in China’s GDP began to happen. At the same time, a sharp rise in the production and use of coal was also noted.

With the creation of other SEZs throughout China, China’s GDP continues to rise today, as does the corresponding rise in production and usage of coal. http://inhabitat.com/apple-and-foxconn-commit-to- improving-safety-and-working-conditions-in-china/ http://inhabitat.com/energy-experts-say-coal-will-overtake-oil-in-2020/

http://www.itcmchina.com/article.php?article_id=2949 Special Economic Zones (SEZ) – Special areas in countries that are given specialized privileges or regulations different from normal. They are designed to promote foreign trade or investment in the area.

China’s GDP and coal production/usage appears to have created a symbiotic or mutually interdependent relationship. Coal – an abundant energy resource in China – has played a very important role in China’s rapid development, providing jobs, opportunities, and better standards of living for growing numbers of China’s people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_in_China http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_in_China http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_in_China http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_in_China http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_in_China Symbiotic Relationship – a mutually beneficial interdependent relationship

Signs of China’s rapid development are everywhere in cities. http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-2110876/Rise-Chinas-middle-class-boosts-Intertek-sales-profits-grow-12.html

However, as with all change and progress, there are both positive and negative repercussions. The massive amount of coal burned as an energy resource in China has also created health and environmental problems for the people. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/21/us-china-smog-idUSBRE99K02Z20131021

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/10/21/2810581/ air-pollution-shuts-chinese-city/ http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-205_162-10015481-2.html http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-205_162-10015481-2.html Air pollution over China as viewed from space

Photo by Lynn Tilley Air pollution was a serious problem during the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. (The Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium is partially obscured by air pollution from burning coal.)

http://www.mapsofworld.com/business/industries/coal-energy/china-coal-deposits.htmlhttp://www.mapsofworld.com/business/industries/coal-energy/china-coal-deposits.html China has massive amounts of coal reserves.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_in_China http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=9751

http://oeta.pbslearningmedia.org Streaming Video Clip – China’s Coal’s True Cost (5 min. 12 sec.) OETA PBS Learning Media – Free Online Classroom Media Resources http://oeta.pbslearningmedia.org

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/china/economy/ Centuries-old traditions of farming are changing as young people from rural areas flock to the cities to work in factories, hoping for a better life by making more money.

Is China’s use of coal, her abundant energy resource, to drive progress and change… http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2013/10/17/can-wuhan-become-the-detroit-of-china/

good ………? http://www.icarreview.com/volvo-got-the-green-light-to-two-factories-in-china/ http://world.edu/apple-abusing-workers-china/

or bad ……? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1039503 /The-Coal-Miners-slaughter-Chinas-Olympic-shame.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1039503/ The-Coal-Miners-slaughter-Chinas-Olympic-shame.html

What do you think?

http://news.yahoo.com/ smog-thick-enough-cancel-flights-hits-beijing- 074510816.html http://www.cbsnews.com/ 2300-205_162-10015481.html http://www.cbsnews.com/ 2300-205_162-10015481.html If you were a person living in China today, would you support the continued use of abundant coal to improve your economic well-being? Why or Why Not? Support your answer with accurate information.

Coal China’s Abundant Energy Resource: Economic Blessing or Plight ?