Coal Production by Country 2024

There are a lot of different ways to produce heat, and one of the most popular options is to use coal. Even though a lot of people are familiar with how coal can be used to power a grill, it is also a popular source of energy. Coal has been a popular source of energy since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Even though this power source was used prior to the Industrial Revolution, this is where it truly took off. During the past few decades, there are a lot of countries that have moved away from coal, but there are some situations where it is still very popular.

What Countries Produce the Most Coal?

Today, there are several countries that are far above the rest of the world when it comes to coal production. Without a doubt, the country that uses the most coal is China. China is the most populous country on Earth, so it should come as no surprise; however, China far outpaces the rest of the world in terms of coal production. For example, in 2020, China produced more than 3,900 tons of coal. This was even more than the 3850 tons of coal they produced in 2019. China dwarfs the second country on the list, which is India. India produced just over 750 tons of coal in 2020 and 2019. Indonesia is third on this list, and the United States is 4th on this list. Of note, the United States has significantly cut its coal production during the past few years.

Why Is the World Moving Away from Coal?

There are lots of reasons why the world is moving away from this energy source, and the biggest reason is that coal is incredibly filthy. The reality is that the world is very concerned about global warming, and as temperatures go up, it will only become harder to grow food, protect animals, and cope with natural disasters. Therefore, there has been a tremendous amount of research involving alternative energy sources, which could help stem the tide of global warming. At the same time, Europe is going to be using a lot more coal this year, as they are struggling to produce energy given the war in Ukraine.

What Are the Most Popular Alternative Sources of Energy?

If the world is not going to use coal, what are some of the other options available? One of the most popular alternative sources of energy is solar power. This refers to energy that comes from the sun, and it is the definition of a renewable source of energy. Wind power has also been a popular source of energy. Windmills spin when the wind blows, and windmills can produce energy. Hydropower has also been popular, but as rivers continue to dry up, hydropower might not be a popular option moving forward. Finally, nuclear power could also become popular during the next two decades, but there are people who have safety concerns.