Coal makes up 70% of China’s primary energy consumption and has powered its economic engine for decades. But there are hidden costs behind this dirty fuel, both to human health and to the environment. At least a quarter million Chinese have died from coal mine accidents in China since 1949, according to official statistics. Those who do survive are hardly unscathed. Many suffer from occupational hazards like the fatal black lung disease and maimed limbs. Some estimates put the external environmental cost from coal mining at 7% of China’s gross domestic product. In short, what consumers pay for electricity and other forms of energy in China is hugely subsidized and does not account for these true, often hideous, costs associated with the complete cycle of coal usage. When miners’ lungs turn black, it is a grim reminder that coal is much more than just a source of energy.

Recommended reading from China Dialogue:

“Capitalising on capture”, Li Jia, Liang Xi

“The science of storage”, Logan West

“Outlook and obstacles for CCS”, He Gang

“Making the case for carbon capture”, Wallace Broecker, Martin Bunzl

This production owes thanks to the following individuals and organizations:
Wu Nan
Greenpeace China (Kuang Yin)
David Fridley, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
He Gang, Program on Energy and Sustainable Development, Stanford University
Yang Fuqiang, WWF Global Climate Solutions
John Delury
Emily Parker
Leah Thompson

An Ariane Wu, Wu Nan & Michael Zhao production, assistant producers: Laura Chang, Andrew Smeall, executive producer: Orville Schell.

煤炭是中国一次能源消耗的70％，也是中国近几十年经济快速发展的功臣。然而，我们经常忽略的是煤炭开采和运输消费整个环节中的外部环境成本和对矿工健康和生态环境的破坏。据官方的统计数字，自建国以来中国已有至少25万人死于煤矿事故。而侥幸生存下来的矿工也多多少少正在或将会经历各种病痛的困扰。黑肺病是其中之一。矿工们一个个无奈的抉择和随之而来他们承受的苦楚一次次提醒我们，煤远不仅仅是一种不清洁的能源。

5 Responses to “Black Lungs 尘肺病”

1. Micheal Tacopino Says:
   August 27th, 2010 at 5:59 pm

   Those desperate miners are so fortunate to be alive. My thoughts go out to them and their loved ones. I do hope they make it out alive and don’t go crazy while locked so deep underground.I can’t imagine what they are going through.

2. Jaime Cavallero Says:
   June 30th, 2010 at 9:46 pm

   These blog are wonderfully interesting, I will ensure I be back to read more of it.

3. Nelson Alsberry Says:
   June 11th, 2010 at 1:11 am

   Sorry…I meant comment on this earlier. I believe that it is good. Keep up the fantastic work. I’ll be back soon

4. The Hidden Tolls of Coal Mining | dGenerate Films Says:
   June 2nd, 2010 at 6:45 am

   [...] Visit Asia Society’s China Green feature here. [...]

5. Black lungs: The hidden tolls of coal mining in China | Asian Correspondent Says:
   May 25th, 2010 at 8:05 pm

   [...] Coal makes up 70 percent of China’s primary energy consumption and has powered its economic engine for decades. But there are hidden costs behind this dirty fuel, both to human health and to the environment.At least a quarter million Chinese have died from coal mine accidents in China since 1949, according to official statistics. Those who do survive are hardly unscathed. Many suffer from occupational hazards like the fatal black lung disease and maimed limbs.Some estimates put the external environmental cost from coal mining at seven percent of China’s gross domestic product. In short, what consumers pay for electricity and other forms of energy in China is hugely subsidized and does not account for these true, often hideous, costs associated with the complete cycle of coal usage.When miners’ lungs turn black, it is a grim reminder that coal is much more than just a source of energy.SEE THE VIDEO HERE [...]

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