In China's coal country, 'war on pollution' brings blue skies, cold homes

A monument to China’s efforts to wean itself from coal rises on the outskirts of this village deep in the heart of the nation’s coal country.

Scores of old coal stoves have been dumped in a lot, removed by government decree in recent months in favor of cleaner-burning natural gas furnaces.

“Defend blue sky and breathe together,” an exhortation painted on the brick wall surrounding the lot says. “Manage haze and work together.”

China has long faced skepticism over its pledges to wage a “war on pollution” and end its unrestrained burning of coal. And indeed, demand for coal rose again last year