Oil Remains King, but Coal and Natural Gas use Continue to Grow New Worldwatch Institute report examines the global rate of coal and natural gas consumption and production

摘要

Although oil remains the world's leading energy source, coal and natural gas continue to grow in significance, according to new research conducted by the Worldwatch Institute for its Vital Signs Online service (www.worldwatch.org). Global consumption of coal increased 5.4 percent in 2011, to 3.72 billion tons of oil equivalent, while natural gas use grew 2.2 percent, to 2.91 billion tons of oil equivalent. Both are primary fuels for the world's electricity market, and because they are often used as substitutes for one other, their trends need to be examined together, write report authors Matt Lucky and Reese Rogers.