The wrench in that analysis is that Western nation's used to direct burn coal and oil for many purposes that are now unnecessary due to technological innovation

The wrench in that analysis is that Western nation's used to direct burn coal and oil for many purposes that are now unnecessary due to technological innovation. If China had to exclusively use things like steam locomotives, coal furnaces, and oil-fired boilers for its current level of industrialization, it would be putting out just as much per capital as the US and UK 120 years ago.