I'm confused again. I recall being told Europe and the USA shutting down their existing, but filthy (CO2-wise), energy production and transportation systems was the only way to save the world from Climate Change. However, I keep seeing data that shows the US and all of Europe, combined, don't contribute as much CO2 as China alone - who is building more coal fired power plants than Carter has little liver pills. It also appears that China's CO2 emissions are increasing faster than either Europe or USA CO2 emissions are decreasing. Are we doomed? Do we need to send Greta T to China to speak with their leadership? Can someone make this all make sense?
The West (such as the UK) closed down a lot of their local manufacturing and outsourced it to China, thereby reducing their own emissions, but increasing the emissions in China. Large corporations in the West should build up local facilities and make them greener, rather than outsourcing to East Asia to gain more profit. Keep in mind that China is a global leader in the production of solar panels and also has the world's largest solar farms. Every country must do more to reduce green house gas emissions.
Check out the data on Our World in Data to better understand where the emissions of China actually belong to … https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/imported-or-exported-co-emissions-per-capita?tab=chart
Now look at per capita emissions.
USA 80% consumption domestic 20% industry China 80% industry 20% consumption domestic. No more questions.
Mark Hoffman Before you post stuff that is only partially correct - and so to avoid your own confusion - perhaps do a little bit more research. China is almost at peak emissions - if not already there. https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chinas-emissions-set-to-fall-in-2024-after-record-growth-in-clean-energy/
I believe you nailed it. The inability and/or unwillingness of the general population to apply critical thinking to these issues will be the end of us all. The Greatest Generation was forced to learn and understand sacrifice, and that lesson carried them through life. Sacrifice isn’t a word I hear much when these issues are discussed. I fear we are setting ourselves for a similar lesson as we allow our political “leaders” to kick the can down the road so they can maintain their position and lifestyle. America must do better!
Mark Hoffman by relying on China to produce almost everything for us we export part of our carbon emissions.
Yes China’s CO2 emmisions are a major problem and man made climate change change would be decreased more if they were making an effort to curb their emissions. But European and American emission had regulations not been placed on them would also be a problem to the environment. Efforts have been made to get Xi’s regime to curb CO2 emissions to be more in line with western goals. I don’t understand your confusion china making more CO2 doesn’t absolve the west from trying to make energy more cleanly.
Might be strange, but from a professor, I would expect to do some research before posting such a populistic view.
Lecturer Mechanical Engineering, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht
4dUm, it might be a surprise to you, but China has more people than the US. Per capita their emissions are lower than in the US. China is installing more PV per person and per country than any other country. It does not want to import oil, so it is building more electric cars than any other country. Um, saying you are confused. You are. Science tells you co2 is a problem and we need to work hard to solve that. Start working hard. US is lazy wrt to thinking and doing about co2. Shy as well. Lenient. UNHANDY.