[Source.](https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/catherinesalgado/2023/04/12/worlds-biggest-polluter-china-increases-coal-mining-n1686656) > While the U.S. government takes aim at gas-powered cars and the World Economic Forum (WEF) advises eating bugs to save the planet, China is completely negating any supposed climate progress. China, the world’s biggest polluter, is speeding up its construction of coal mines and approval of new coal mines. No need to snack on grasshoppers — you won’t be stopping global pollution. > Reuters said that China’s increased coal mining will “support its baseload energy supply during demand spikes,” according to Liang Changxin, an official from the National Energy Administration (NEA). Liang predicted a “significant increase on [sic] last year” with over 1.36 billion kilowatts at peak energy demand this summer. That could mean power cuts enforced in some areas. > Low rainfall means less hydropower leading into the summer in China, Reuters said, creating the threat of blackouts. Chinese officials call coal an energy “ballast stone.”