Climate

2023 marks another all-time high in global coal production, totalling 8 741 Mt. Steam coal and lignite account for about 87% of global coal production and their growth in production accounts for similar share of the global production increase. Lignite is the dirtiest type of coal with only 30% carbon content. Natural gas production held constant as the US made up for the loss of Russian gas In 2023, the world produced an estimated 101.8 million barrels per day (b/d) of petroleum and other liquids, which includes crude oil, lease condensate, natural gas liquids, biofuels, and other hydrocarbon liquids. This was an increase of 320,000 b/d from October 2023, due to growth in the United States and Brazil that outperformed expectations. The industrial growth of the West followed the path of wood to coal to oil to natural gas and nuclear. Most of Africa and Asia are still in the coal stage and many parts of Africa are still burning wood and dung. Industrial growth around the world is set to increase rapidly which means the push toward nuclear must be accelerated.