How Much Coal does China Lose to Fire?

China loses between 100 and 200 million tons (91 to 181 billion kilograms) of coal in fires each year, equal to about 20 percent of its annual production. The thousands of coal fires burning around the world are one of the world's largest sources of pollution and carbon dioxide. The coal fires in China alone produce about 1.1 billion metric tons (about 1.1 trillion kilograms) of carbon dioxide — more than the amount of CO₂ produced by all the automobiles in the US.

More Coal Facts:

• China is the world's largest coal consumer and producer. About 3 billion tons (2.7 trillion kilograms) are produced in China each year and about 2 billion tons (1.8 trillion kilograms) are used.


• Each day, 13 people die in coal mines in China. About 30 people die each year in coal mines in the US.


• China holds about 13 percent of the world's coal reserves and has enough coal to sustain the country's growth for more than a century.