煤在中国古代被称为“石墨”、“石炭”等。早在汉代就开始大量使用。汉帝国崩溃之后,在长达千年的时间中,由于人口和工业低迷,植物燃料的再生速度足以满足社会需求,煤炭就没有得到重视。直到宋代爆发严重的燃料危机,这种古老的燃料才得以再次被重视。煤炭不仅终结了这场危机,也在一定程度上取代了木柴和木炭等传统燃料,从而拯救了森林和大宋帝国。 Coal in ancient China was called “graphite ”, “charcoal ” and so on. As early as the Han Dynasty began to extensive use. After the collapse of the Han Empire, for a thousand years, because of the population and industrial downturn, the rate of regeneration of plant fuels was enough to meet the needs of the community and coal was not valued. Until the severe fuel crisis broke out in the Song Dynasty, the ancient fuel was once again valued. Not only did coal end the crisis, it also replaced traditional fuels such as firewood and charcoal to a certain extent, saving the forests and the Song Empire.