Keep this in mind as China blocks binding legislation to protect the environment: at the current rate of growth, China is set to emit more carbon over the next 30 years than the United States has in its entire history.
Source: The New Yorker
Comments
Can you blame them? They want to develop.
The burden of saving the planet from climate catastrophe is on the shoulders of the western world and Japan. The third world has virtually no attention to preserve the environment. As they consider "protection of environment" a restriction on their development.
I believe never has the time been so suitable for investing in alternative energy sources, electrical and hydrogen cars. Because old carbon technologies are not that profitable any more. Time to invest in new technologies, it is a very convenient way to get out of economic crisis. Too bad, much of the capital has been squandered for gambling in stock exchanges and real estate bubble.
The problem with China is of scale. I saw the Chinese ambassador to the UK speak on the subject a few weeks ago. She said it's not fair to tell the Chinese villager that he shouldn't be able to have a car the way every American does. (although China has no problem telling them how many kids to have, a seemingly more intrusive action, but I digress).
China, in terms of population, is 5 times the size of America, and is much more geographically concentrated. Besides emissions, the traffic caused by 2.6 billion cars would be unbearable. It already is in places like Beijing, where there was no problem 10 years ago.
China would be stupid to follow the developmental pattern of America. Why not learn from our mistakes and do better? Heck, I wish we had focused on hi-speed rail, subways, and high gas taxes instead of highways and automotives.
"Why not learn from our mistakes and do better? Heck, I wish we had focused on hi-speed rail, subways, and high gas taxes instead of highways and automotives."
I may sound a bit anti-western or have an anti-western bias by saying this. However I can assure you I am not (actually I am willingy not).
But has the west (especially the US, because it seems that EU observes the environment to some extent, thanks to the Greens) learnt anything at all? Only recently it has become apparent that the world resources and climate will be seriously damaged if this crazy haze of production and consumption pattern continues. We are beginning to realize after the 90s-2000s.
As to the China and India, I think at some point, these countries will have to face with the fact that such production and consumerism cannot be sustainable. But not because it is not environment friendly, but not economically viable. Their massive needs will skyrocket the prices of raw materials, I believe. They will have to consider more collective solutions instead of fueling individualistic consumerist policies.
