Climate change in China
The position of the Chinese government on climate change is contentious. China has ratified the Kyoto Protocol, but as a non-Annex I country is not required to limit greenhouse gas emissions under terms of the agreement.
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[edit] Contribution
In 2007, on the basis of an analysis of fossil fuel consumption (including especially the coal power plants[1]) and cement production data, that China surpassed the United States as the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide, putting out 6,200 million tonnes, in comparison with America's 5,800 million.[2]
According to data from the US Energy Information Administration China was the top emitter by fossil fuels CO2 in 2009 China: 7,710 million tonnes (mt) (25.4%) ahead of US: 5,420 mt (17.8%), India: 5.3%, Russia: 5.2% and Japan: 3.6%.[3]
China was also the top emitter of all greenhouse gas emissions including building and deforestation in 2005: China: 7,220 mt (16.4%), US: 6,930 mt (15.7%), 3. Brazil 6.5%, 4. Indonesia: 4.6%, 5. Russia 4.6%, 6. India 4.2%, 7. Japan 3.1%, 8. Germany 2.3%, 9. Canada 1.8%, and 10. Mexico 1.6%.[3]
In the cumulative emissions between 1850 and 2007 the top emittors were: 1. US 28.8% 2. China: 9.0%, 3. Russia 8.0%, 4. Germany 6.9%, 5. UK 5.8%, 6. Japan 3.9 %, 7. France 2.8%, 8. India 2.4%, 9. Canada 2.2% and 10. Ukraine 2.2%.[3]
The carbon dioxide emissions per capita in China were 5.83 t/capita (with 80th top position) slightly higher than e.g. in Sweden 5.58 t/capita.[4]
[edit] Cement
According to the Dutch environmental research organization PBL cement production is a large source of carbon dioxide emissions in China. In 2008 China produced 51 % of the world’s cement which made it as the biggest emittor of CO2 in 2008.[5]
[edit] Coal
China is the largest consumer of coal in the world: in 2009 18,449 TWh of the world total 39,340 TWh.[6]
It has been argued that the release of sulfur dioxide from burning coal has slowed global warming. China is now adding sulfur dioxide reducing technology to its power plants in order to decrease problems such as acid rains.[7]
[edit] Effects of climate change
China can suffer some of the effects of global warming, including sea level rise, glacier retreat and air pollution.
The implications of climate change, indubitably, impose serious setbacks on global health and will hinder the economic development of various regions worldwide impacting countries on more than just the basic environmental scale. As in the case of China, we will see the effects on a social and economic level.
China’s first National Assessment of Global Climate Change, released recently by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), states that China already suffers from the environmental impacts of climate change: increase of surface and ocean temperature, rise of sea level.[8] Rising sea level is an alarming trend because China has a very long and densely populated coastline, with some of the most economically developed cities such as Shanghai, Tianjin, and Guangzhou situated there. Chinese research has estimated that a one-meter rise in sea level would inundate 92,000 square kilometres of China’s coast, thereby displacing 67 million.[9]
There has also been an increased occurrence of climate-related disasters such as drought and flood and the amplitude is growing. They have grave consequences for productivity when they occur, and also create serious repercussions for natural environment and infrastructure. This threatens the lives of billions and aggravates poverty.
Furthermore, climate change will worsen the uneven distribution of water resources in China. Outstanding rises in temperature would exacerbate evapo-transpiration intensifying the risk of water shortage for agricultural production in the North. While because of the southern region’s over abundance in rainfall, most of its water is lost due to flooding. As the Chinese government faces challenges managing its expanding population, an increased demand for water to support the nation’s economic activity and people will burden the government. In essence, a water shortage is indeed a large concern for the country. [10]
Lastly, climate change could endanger human health by increasing outbreaks of disease and their transmission. After floods, for example, infectious diseases such as diarrhea, cholera are all far more prevalent. These effects would exacerbate the degradation of the ecologically fragile areas in which poor communities are concentrated pushing thousands back into poverty. [11]
[edit] IPCC
According to IPCC (2007) from 1900 to 2005 precipitation has declined in parts of southern Asia. By the 2050s freshwater availability including large river basins is projected to decrease in Asian regions. Coastal areas, specially the delta areas in Asia are projected to have increased flooding risk. Floods and droughts are expected to increase health concerns: diseases and mortality.[12]
[edit] Debate over China's economic responsibilities for climate change mitigation
Both internationally and within the People's Republic of China, there has been an ongoing debate over China's economic responsibilities for climate change mitigation.
[edit] Climate change mitigation measures
The People's Republic of China is an active participant in the climate change talks and other multilateral environmental negotiations, and claims to take environmental challenges seriously but is pushing for the developed world to help developing countries to a greater extent. It is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, although China is not required to reduce its carbon emissions under the terms of the present agreement.
The Chinese national carbon trading scheme was announced in November 2008 by the national government to enforce a compulsory carbon emission trading scheme across the country's provinces as part of its strategy to create a "low carbon civilisation".[13] The scheme would allow provinces to earn money by investing in carbon capture systems in those regions that fail to invest in the technology [14].
In 2010, Premier Wen Jiabao promised to use an “iron hand” to make China more energy efficient. China has surpassed the rest of the world as the biggest investor in wind turbines and other renewable energy technology. And it has dictated tough new energy standards for lighting and gas kilometrage for cars.[15] With $34.6 billion invested in clean technology in 2009, China is the world's leading investor in renewable energy technologies.[16][17] China produces more wind turbines and solar panels each year than any other country.[18]
Coal is predicted to remain the most important power source in the near future but China has been seen as the world leader in clean coal technology.[19][20][21]
Nuclear power is planned to be rapidly expanded. By mid-century fast neutron reactors are seen as the main nuclear power technology which allows much more efficient use of fuel reources.[22]
China should push electric cars to curb its dependence on imported petroleum (oil) and foreign automobile technology, although they offer smaller cuts in carbon emissions than alternatives like hybrid electric vehicles, consulting firm McKinsey & Co says.[23]
[edit] See also
- Politics of global warming
- Chinese national carbon trading scheme
- Scientific Development Concept
- Coal power in China
- Environment of China
- Solar power in China
- China Carbon Forum
- Tianjin Climate Exchange
- China Beijing Environmental Exchange
[edit] References
- ^ Coal power plants in China Map +oil use. Platts.com (1999-02-22). Retrieved on 22 September 2011.
- ^ "China now no. 1 in CO2 emissions; USA in second position". Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. 19 June 2007. http://www.mnp.nl/en/service/pressreleases/2007/20070619Chinanowno1inCO2emissionsUSAinsecondposition.html.
- ^ a b c Which nations are most responsible for climate change? Guardian 21 April 2011
- ^ World carbon dioxide emissions data by country: China speeds ahead of the rest Guardian 31 January 2011
- ^ Sementtituotanto lisääntyi Kiinassa kymmenyksellä 13 June 2008
- ^ name=Sverigetab49>Energy in Sweden 2010, Facts and figures, The Swedish Energy Agency[who?], Table 52: Global supply of coal 1990–2009 (TWh)
- ^ David Biello, Stratospheric Pollution Helps Slow Global Warming, July 22, 2011, Scientific American, http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=stratospheric-pollution-helps-slow-global-warming
- ^ http://www.die-gdi.de/CMS-Homepage/openwebcms3_e.nsf/(ynDK_contentByKey)/ENTR-7BDE2T?OpenDocument&nav=expand:Research%20and%20Consulting\Projects;active:Research%20and%20Consulting\Projects\ENTR-7BDE2T
- ^ http://stonybrook.digication.com/egimenez/Case_Study_Impact_of_Climate_Change_on_China
- ^ http://stonybrook.digication.com/egimenez/Case_Study_Impact_of_Climate_Change_on_China
- ^ http://www.oxfam.org.hk/en/climatepoverty.aspx
- ^ IPCC Working group III fourth assessment report, Summary for Policymakers 2007[dead link]
- ^ Climate Ark:China outlines plans for domestic carbon trading
- ^ businessgreen.com: China outlines plans for domestic carbon trading
- ^ Bradsher, Keith (4 July 2010). "China Fears Warming Effects of Consumer Wants". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/05/business/global/05warm.html?ref=global-home.
- ^ China Leads Major Countries With $34.6 Billion Invested in Clean Technology
- ^ China steams ahead on clean energy
- ^ Bradsher, Keith, Jan 30, 2010, China leads global race to make clean energy, New York Times
- ^ JAMES FALLOWS, Dirty Coal, Clean Future, DECEMBER 2010 ATLANTIC MAGAZINE, http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/12/dirty-coal-clean-future/8307/1/
- ^ China's coal reserves 'will make it new Middle East', says energy chief, Leo Hickman, Tuesday 8 March 2011, The Guardian, http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/mar/08/china-coal-new-middle-east
- ^ KEITH BRADSHER, China Outpaces U.S. in Cleaner Coal-Fired Plants, May 10, 2009, The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/11/world/asia/11coal.html
- ^ Nuclear Power in China, Updated March 2012, World Nuclear Association, http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf63.html
- ^ LexisNexis® Publisher
[edit] External links
- China Climate Change Information Network
- Greenpeace China's China climate change resources
- China-US Energy Efficiency Alliance: China Climate Change News & Resources
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