“Asian LNG and Coal Prices Jump to Rarely Seen Highs- Nikkei Asian Review.” Nikkei Asian Review. N.p., 20 Nov. 2016. Web. 21 Nov. 2016. (http://asia.nikkei.com/Markets/Commodities/Asian-LNG-and-coal-prices-jump-to-rarely-seen-highs)
The article reveals that the prices of coal and liquefied natural gas have taken a large to unusual highs. Apparently the price of coal has doubled since last January. Also China has restricted the number of days coal mines can operate. Now Chinese power companies are importing much more coal to replenish their supplies. As most Asian companies use long-term contracts for most of their coal imports, one of the major importers just agreed to an annual contract for $94.75 per ton of coal, which is the highest it has been in four years.
Hopefully the increase in coal prices will drive companies to switch to other, less polluting resources for energy. Coal pollutes much more than the other alternatives to create energy. Since the prices have doubled within a year, we should see companies making the change but we cannot be sure. To sum it up, it should create change that would benefit the environment.
From what I read in your first paragraph, it seems like China is planning to continue using coal despite the price. Do you really believe that alternative energies are going to be used? Is there anything the government could do to enforce changes?