ABSTRACT
Over two decades of rapid economic growth, energy demand in China has increased tremendously. In 1980 the total primary energy consumption in China was 17.3 quadrillion Btu, and in 2001 it increased to 39.7 quadrillion Btu. 1 Energy is the physical driving force behind industrialization. In developing countries, energy demand is closely correlated with economic growth. A robust economy, in turn, leads to prosperity. As living standards rise, people increase their spending on home appliances for air conditioning, refrigeration, cooking, and space and water heating, as well as on automobiles and other energy-intensive products. Energy consumption in China is expected to increase continuously. At an average annual rate of 3.5 percent, it is projected to reach 90.8 quadrillion Btu in 2025. 2 China is the world's most populous country, and its energy production and consumption give rise to significant health and environmental impacts both domestically and globally. Because production of energy generally is associated with adverse environmental impacts, this chapter examines the availability of energy sources in China in the future and assesses the environmental effects of increased energy consumption.
