Coal will still fuel economic miracles

China's 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15) for coal demonstrates the essential role that 21st century coal plays in the energy, economic and environmental future of the world's second-largest economy. China's experience is a lesson for the rest of the world.

Study after study demonstrates the correlations among coal demand, economic activity and social progress, where a rise in coal use mirrors a rise in GDP.

China's economic growth has exceeded targets every single year this century, and its GDP largely tracks its generation growth, which translates into greater coal use.