China has released a policy paper that essentially tells the West to back off in its demands that the peoples' republic curb its carbon emissions. From the Washington Post:
"China [claims it] should not be forced to put a limit on greenhouse gas emissions at this stage of its economic development, as urged by environmental activists and some Western governments.
Even now, with an economy growing at more than 10 percent a year, the 1.3 billion Chinese use only half the world's per-capita energy-use average for hydroelectric power and only one-fifteenth of the per-capita average for oil and natural gas, it said.
"China is a developing country in the primary stage of industrialization, and with low accumulative emissions," the report added, referring to its long-term average.
China, which is the world's second-largest coal producer with 2.21 billion tons mined in 2006, will continue to use large amounts in the foreseeable future, the report said.
With reserves of 1,034.5 billion tons, or 13 percent of the world's known total in 2006, the country cannot afford to ignore this traditional energy source despite the pollution it produces. But at the same time, the report said, the government is gradually reducing the percentage of China's energy consumption that comes from coal."
What the Chinese appear to be saying is that they're going to continue to use billions of tons of coal each year but that, as their economy grows, the percentage (intensity) of coal use will decline. Neat, eh? Sounds like it could've been written by Sharper himself.
"China [claims it] should not be forced to put a limit on greenhouse gas emissions at this stage of its economic development, as urged by environmental activists and some Western governments.
Even now, with an economy growing at more than 10 percent a year, the 1.3 billion Chinese use only half the world's per-capita energy-use average for hydroelectric power and only one-fifteenth of the per-capita average for oil and natural gas, it said.
"China is a developing country in the primary stage of industrialization, and with low accumulative emissions," the report added, referring to its long-term average.
China, which is the world's second-largest coal producer with 2.21 billion tons mined in 2006, will continue to use large amounts in the foreseeable future, the report said.
With reserves of 1,034.5 billion tons, or 13 percent of the world's known total in 2006, the country cannot afford to ignore this traditional energy source despite the pollution it produces. But at the same time, the report said, the government is gradually reducing the percentage of China's energy consumption that comes from coal."
What the Chinese appear to be saying is that they're going to continue to use billions of tons of coal each year but that, as their economy grows, the percentage (intensity) of coal use will decline. Neat, eh? Sounds like it could've been written by Sharper himself.
I'm not quite sure if you are condeming or praising China -- the Liberals and NDP are outraged that the Conservatives are pushing to have China sign on to a deal to limit/reduce its emissions - China seems to agree with the Liberals and NDP in that it shouldn't have to do so. From what I can see the Chinese policy is in direct opposition to Harper's attempts to include China, US, India in some sort of deal. So what is it? do you agree with China that it shouldn' have to sign onto any deal or with those who say it should?
ReplyDeleteAnd all the while, Canada and Australia are providing China with as much coal as they will take. Way to go!!
ReplyDelete"And all the while, Canada and Australia are providing China with as much coal as they will take. Way to go!! -- EXACTLY - that is why I personally disliked Kyoto. It allowed us to ship mega-tonnes of coal to places that could burn all they wanted while buying the right to burn all we wanted (via carbon-offsets)here by shipping millions of dollars to the same places that were using our coal to pump tonnes of crap into the air. Lots of money changing hands but ZERO reductions in green house gases --- We need every country to reduce in proportion to what they are pumping into the air. That way we get an overall reduction in the levels - reducing our emissions by 1 tonne, then sitting by while another country increases theirs by 1 tonne gets us nowhere.
ReplyDeleteIt's not just coal we've been sending to China. I can't recall whether it was in the NYT or the Guardian recently but there was an article on how the west has sold entire smelters - taken apart and re-assembled in China - some of them the filthiest sort (Victorian). We now have them smelt our steel for us, leaving them (of course) with the associated pollution. It's like shifting food around on one's plate.
ReplyDeleteObjections to shipping coal to China should be discussed with the United Mine Workers Union. It may take exception to the suggestion that its members be unemployed.
ReplyDeletemfs....It doesn't matter what we are sending to the Chinese to set up their economy...it remains disgusting when our Prime Minister keeps making the comments he does about China and his idiotic demand that China reduce its pollution before we do. We are still supplying the Chinese with their pollution making machine....yes...but it is over there and not here....where do people think that pollution ends up?.....short sighted, in the box thinking by some people in Canada who think it doesn't reach them.
ReplyDeleteIn less than 52 weeks, China's emissions increase by more than Canada's TOTAL EMISSIONS!!!
ReplyDeleteIn 5 years China's emissions would increase equal to more than 5 times Canada's TOTAL EMISSIONS!!!
And no one on the left is concerned???
But you want to shut down Canadian industry for the Theory of Anthropogenic Global Warming . . . soo nuts!!!
Anyone read the letter from the 400 climate scientists from 12 countries that was sent to Ban Ki-Moon before the Bali gathering??
They seem fare less concerned than the enviro-whacks!!!
One way to cut down on Chinese polution . . . is to stop buying their crap!!!!
ReplyDeleteBought a new stainless-steel Barby yesterday, could have bought a chinese piece for less . . . but bought one made in CANADA!!!!
Get a Brain folks . . .
Oldtool, the more you go at this the more frail becomes your grasp of reality. Here's a little point you should consider. It's not the "lefties" who support the China-engine merchandisers such as Wal-Mart. Lefties actually shun the place. It's your kind - the NASCAR, mouth-breathers, right-wing dupes who merrily shop themselves out of their jobs and then bitch endlessly about it. That letter obviously impresses you but one has to be extremely easily impressed, to the point of utter naivety, to be moved by the opinions of that group. You should really do a bit of homework before spouting off. You freely insult people yet it only reflects your abject ignorance.
ReplyDelete