Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The Blame Game

In my last post, I bemoaned the persistent scapegoating of China in US climate policy. This approach is not only unproductive, it's especially inappropriate in light of China's emerging commitment to conservation. As ksharp commented, China will ban the free distribution of plastic bags in June, a major accomplishment for a nation that currently uses up to 3-billion plastic bags daily. Last June, China unveiled a national climate plan. And Chinese wind power productivity doubled in 2006 alone.

That's not to say that the US hasn't made any improvements in this area. The new Energy Bill raises automobile fuel efficiency standards for the first time in 32 years. It also effectively eliminates the incandescent lightbulb within the decade. But before we get too smug, we should pause for a moment to consider China's progress in these areas. China manufactures 80% of the world's compact fluorescent lightbulbs. And what of that 35 mpg CAFÉ standard we're so excited about? China's fleet-wide efficiency will reach 36.7 mpg next year.

 And while many (including myself), hail the US Energy Bill as a major accomplishment, the final bill lacked many of the safeguards we hoped for. Most notably, the bill's accomplishments came with the sacrifice of a proposed Renewable Electricity Standard, which would have required 15 percent of US electricity to be produced by renewables by 2030. Yet China already obtains 17 percent of its electricity from renewables – and that number is projected to increase to 21 percent by 2020.
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 That's not to say that China is perfect. Certainly, I'm wary of our ability to truly combat climate change without having firm commitments from a nation with 1.3 billion people. I'm also worried about China's construction of an average of one new dirty coal-fired power plant each week. But while we may still want to occasionally point a finger at China, we should also have the commonsense to use our hands to applaud its accomplishments.


[For more on China's accomplishments in this area, read the comprehensive analysis by the Worldwatch Institute, Powering China's Development: The Role of Renewable Energy or visit China Watch.]

[PS: Last week, Whole Foods announced that it, too, will be eliminating plastic bags this spring!]
Posted by Jennifer at 01:59:34 | Permanent Link | Comments (6) |
Comments
1 - Blaming others while not doing one's own part always seems suspicious of "the best defense is an offense." True leadership involves doing what is right so that others will follow. Thanks for evidence pointing to China's efforts--it is one more way to keep the pressure on our own "leaders." (Comment this)

Written by: Anonymous at 2008/01/29 - 04:57:05
2 - Thank you for pointing out the inadequacies of our “achievements.” Our new Energy Bill does bring us closer to smart energy policy, but it is embarrassing that China has already enacted much of what we strive to achieve. (Comment this)

Written by: Anonymous at 2008/01/29 - 18:28:00
3 - At least the pendulum is swinging in the right direction! Whether or not China is used as an excuse for our own inability to act on environmental issues, at least we've come to a general consensus that environmental issues need to be addressed both locally and globally, instead of denying that there is any problem. (Comment this)

Written by: Anonymous at 2008/01/29 - 20:13:50
4 - Jennifer, Thanks for your insightful commentary on China and the United States--you make some excellent points about Chinese "advances" that I think few Americans know about. Unfortunately, we in the U.S. tend to hear more about the problems China is facing, especially environmentally, than we do about the strong leadership they are demonstrating at the national level. This is at least one benefit of a highly centralized political system! Of course, setting a target is one thing, and enforcement and follow-through are quite another. Nevertheless, I think we should be inspired by China's bold actions, especially for a nation of 1.3 billion.

 (Comment this)

Written by: Anonymous at 2008/01/29 - 22:49:12
5 - An excellent point - It's really remarkable how far the discourse has moved in just a few years. Even President Bush acknowledged climate change (to some extent) in his State of the Union address last night. It's important to remember these "victories" - even as we push for a stronger response. (Comment this)

Written by: Anonymous at 2008/01/30 - 00:11:45 in reply to: 3
6 - Too often, our approach to other countries is black and white, especially under the current administration. Countries, like people, often have good and bad qualities. It's smart to focus on the good once in a while! (Comment this)

Written by: Popsquire at 2008/02/07 - 02:29:01
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