Economics of the international coal trade. Why coal continues to power the world / Экономика международной угольной торговли. Почему уголь все ещё используется для генерации энергии в мире

As the Internet of Things heralds a new age of technological innovation, cognitive business solutions, and unequaled human enhancement, Lars Schernikau brings us the second edition of “Economics of the International Coal Trade”, wherein he convincingly argues Why Coal Continues to Power the World. The underlying foundation of the next economy is, not surprisingly, man’s quest for scarce resources as “mundane” as food, water, and energy. And, herein lies the significance of this book, where we find the archetype of the most perfect and most contested form of fossil fuel energy.
Coal has contributed significantly to building modern civilization. It continues to underlie the intrinsic existence of mankind in different stages from pit to port, to consumer, alleviating poverty and contributing to economic development and growth. Coal has fired micro- and macroeconomies for the past two centuries, and has become an investment vehicle providing capital investment opportunities, generating medium- to long-term returns. Coal is studied by geologists, chemists, mining professionals, financiers, supply chain participants, economists, politicians, primary energy generators, manufacturers, cement producers, shippers, scholars, and environmentalists alike. Coal was only formally commoditized some 20 years ago, and has grown in trade, fluidity to the market, cost optimization and in sophistication as both a fossil fuel and a raw material feed. <...>