21. 煤炭的地位
China is the largest producer and consumer of coal in the world. Coal takes up a huge part of China's energy consumption. In the future, coal's share of China's overall energy consumption will decrease. However, coal consumption will continue to rise in absolute terms. China faces serious environmental issues today. Coal plays a big part in causing air pollution. Although coal resource in China is abundant, we should start looking for the substitute resources. It can not only benefit the environment, but will also bring economic payoff in the long run.
中国是全球最大的煤炭生产国和消费国。煤炭占中国能源消费（energy consumption）的很大一部分。在未来，煤炭在中国总体能源消费中所占的份额将有所减少。但煤炭消费仍将继续呈绝对上升态势。中国今天面临着严峻的环境问题，而煤炭在造成空气污染方面起了很大作用。尽管中国的煤炭资源很丰富，但是我们应该开始寻找替代资源（substitute resources）。这样不仅能造福环境，从长远看也会换来经济回报。
