Coal Surge in Asia: War's Impact on Air Quality & Energy Prices

It's March 24th.

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This is Canada News today, where local news meets AI.

Asian countries are ramping up coal use as the Iran War disrupts liquefied natural

gas shipments.

Nations like India, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam are turning

to coal-fire power to fill the gap.

Coal serves as a quick backup because it's widely available locally, especially with

summer demands biking and gas applies short.

Here this week, India boosted coal burning for higher electricity needs, while South

Korea eased limits on coal power.

Indonesia is saving its own coal for domestic use instead of exporting, and China has added

record coal capacity for energy security.

Even though some gas shipments are getting through tight straits, they're mostly going

to industries, not power plants.

People across the region are facing dirtier air from extra coal smoke, worsening smog

in big cities and health risks, like lung problems and heart, disease.

Experts warn this slows the switch to renewables and pumps out more planet warming gases, setting

a risky precedent for future shortages.

Coal prices have jumped 13% since the war started, with Asian benchmark prices climbing

and supplies tightening.

Countries like Vietnam are eyeing imports from places like the United States to cover weather

related gaps, but higher costs could hit electricity.

Coals in coal heavy spots.

While coal buys time now, leaders stress diversifying energy sources long-term to avoid these

shocks and push toward cleaner options like solar and wind.