China is a global leader in clean energy manufacturing. But did you know that most of the emissions reductions -- resulting from the solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, batteries and more that it builds -- will go to other countries?
A new analysis by Carbon Brief highlights the huge impact this is having at the global scale. In 2024 alone, for example, China’s booming exports of clean-energy technologies are estimated to have slashed global carbon emissions by 1 percent.
It's true that manufacturing those items generated emissions. However, those emissions—110 million tonnes—will be offset in only six months. Over their operational lifetimes, these exported clean-energy technologies will avoid a cumulative 4 billion tons of emissions. That’s incredible!
China is also making clean-energy investments overseas, including building solar panel manufacturing plants abroad, and has pledged to stop supporting the development of coal-fired power plants abroad. This is a good example of how no country is an island, so to speak. What happens in one country can have an enormous impact on other countries. In the case of China, it's clearly impacting the entire world.
The not so good news:
The Mediterranean has been in the grips of a sweltering heat wave that has sent temperatures soaring throughout the region, including Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Turkey, which recorded its highest temperature on record on Friday: 50.5 degrees Celsius (113F) in the southeastern city of Silopi near the Iraqi border.
Above normal temperatures coupled with dry conditions have led to deadly wildfires in Turkey, where 13 people died the week of July 21 fighting a blaze in Eskisehir province. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country was “faced with a truly great disaster” from the fires, which some 25,000 personnel were fighting across the country.
Finland is also experiencing record-breaking heat, hitting temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius for 19 consecutive days as of last week Wednesday. The previous all-time heat record was 13 consecutive days above 30 degrees Celsius, in 1972.
And flooding in Beijing, China, has left at least 30 people dead and forced thousands more out of their homes. Meanwhile, in Alberta, Canada, the fifth-wettest July on record resulted in thousands of basements flooded, submerged cars, and inundated parks. And in the U.S., heavy rainfall in Detroit caused a ground stop at the airport and flooded a tunnel there, while flash floods across New York and New Jersey led to states of emergency being declared in many areas.
Of course we’ve had extreme heat and flood before: and the worst damages occur when people build and live in areas already vulnerable to flood and heat. However, as the planet warms, it’s loading the weather dice against us. Heatwaves are more frequent and more severe; heavy rainfall is increasing; and all of this puts us at risk.
As I often say, “It’s not about saving the planet: it’s about saving us!”
Katharine Hayhoe
I'm afraid we've probably reached the point of no return on climate change - and I write on a day when temps here are likely to rise to about 30C again - nothing like as hot as Europe currently but plenty hot enough for me! But it's good to know that some efforts are being made to mitigate the situation.
ReplyDeleteWe very seldom hear any good news especially from China, about climate change efforts. I agree, it's probably a bit late in the game. So we and our species may be in for a lot of suffering in the next period of time. It's too bad our political leadership has gone to the pits.
Delete...and after weeks without rain, we received a dust settler over night.
ReplyDeleteThat is good news to hear from New York. Now let's hope for more.
DeleteHello Barb,
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are pretty. Happy Birthday to Kendra.
The wildfires seem to be happening all around the world.
We are having another dry period here, we could use some rain.
Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.
I'm really sad about wild fires. Thanks for stopping by and commenting! Have a good rest of the week.
DeleteThat's great about chine. Of course, we all know who hates them.
ReplyDeleteI was glad to see that information published about China, not especially a popular place these days.
DeleteChina was pushed by its own extreme industrial pollution particularly in major cities, to react. Fortunately they have, and are actively trying to be part of the solution.
ReplyDeleteMy inner etymologist doesnt like to see damages used as if it meant damage. One is a legal penalty, the other is physical destruction. Different hanimals.
I don't understand your statement about damages used as if it meant damage...
DeleteHayhoe uses it that way. I read the quotations!
DeleteWe have been warned, we have been explained to, we have known. We are over the edge and falling more quickly than predicted , however.
ReplyDeleteThus the changes will eliminate the problem- humans. Ironically and mercilessly taking all other living things that have done no harm to the earth and have contributed well being to the humans that destroy. A failed self absorbed warlike "give me everything" species. Some hearty insects and sea bottom creatures may survive to carry on, they say.
Glad to be on the way out personally , it is for the youngsters, I grieve.
Hi Barbara, Global warming has become a huge world-wide problem much sooner than even some experts predicted. It's the domino effect...we're past a tipping point. As for China, the construction and export of clean air related power equipment is all about bringing cash into their economy. As of 2023, China accounted for 95% of the world's coal powered start ups and coal provided more than 50% of that nations power. They are still building coal related power plants and they have 1,195 plants in operation...vs India with 290 and the USA with too many...but relatively few compared to China, with 195. China is still building coal fueled power plants... https://www.carbonbrief.org/chinas-construction-of-new-coal-power-plants-reached-10-year-high-in-2024/#:~:text=However%2C%20the%20report%20notes%2C%20new,low%E2%80%9D%2C%20the%20report%20says. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeleteAmazing planters on Wall Street!
ReplyDeleteTemps are rising here this week and people hate the heat.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't you think we as a human race would be smart enough to do something to curb climate change we have caused?
ReplyDelete