From the Guardian.

Some 200 million people could be left out in the cold in China this winter, the state-run media warned yesterday, as energy shortages threatened the traditional switching on of the nation’s centrally planned central heating system.

The China Daily said Beijing has only 50% of the coal it needs this winter, while Jilin has stores of 40%, half the level of this time last year.

Heating is something that one doesn’t have to worry about in North America. If it gets cold, crank the heat (or in the case of my parents house, throw more wood in the furnace). It’s no big deal as there is more than enough to go around.

My apartment isn’t insulated, so I had my electric heater cranked last night. I don’t think I’ll turn it on tonight. In my case, it is a comfort issue, not a matter of life and death. There are people who need the electricity more than I do.

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