5 ms·

China has the largest population and an over proportional industrial production, which is responsible for the high CO2 emissions. And it invests more in decreas

China has the largest population and an over proportional industrial production, which is responsible for the high CO2 emissions. And it invests more in decreasing CO2 emissions than the US

howmayiannoyyou 5y ago
I don't know if its true the China invests more in decreasing CO2 emissions than the US, but it's a misleading metric for three reasons: 1. What matters is absolute emissions, period. 2. The US has invested in pollution control for decades, so on an inflation-adjusted basis the aggregate investment by the US would be far greater. 3. As the largest polluter & the largest manufacturer it makes sense China's investment would be greater, but see #1.
- baktubi 5y ago
  #1 is most relevant. China got hit with massive flooding and their rapidly built infrastructure isn’t built to withstand climate changes. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. Who gives what China is failing at: we need a technological evolution that works with the planet. Folks who say, “well they’re not doing it so why should we?” Are abdicating all responsibility and are probably lazy citizens to begin with.
- yogthos 5y ago
  Consumption is the root cause of the emissions. As long as the demand for goods continues, they have to be produced somewhere. Whether the factories are in US or in China is completely irrelevant. Furthermore, China is now a world leader in both solar and nuclear, and they're actively exporting this technology. The reality of the situation is that investing into clean energy is very profitable, and China has now secured its position as the world leader. When other countries start getting their act together, they'll be buying this technology from China.
ihsw 5y ago
> it invests more in decreasing CO2 emissions The depressing fact about this is that the US (and more generally the West) are not working towards real genuine CO2 emissions reductions but rather engages in book-keeping scams (ie: carbon credit markets.) "Carbon neutral" is a just an indulgence in the Catholic sense -- paying someone else to pray for you rather than actually changing your behavior.

China has the largest population and an over proportional industrial production, which is responsible for the high CO2 emissions. And it invests more in decreasing CO2 emissions than the US

howmayiannoyyou 5y ago

I don't know if its true the China invests more in decreasing CO2 emissions than the US, but it's a misleading metric for three reasons: 1. What matters is absolute emissions, period. 2. The US has invested in pollution control for decades, so on an inflation-adjusted basis the aggregate investment by the US would be far greater. 3. As the largest polluter & the largest manufacturer it makes sense China's investment would be greater, but see #1.

baktubi 5y ago
#1 is most relevant. China got hit with massive flooding and their rapidly built infrastructure isn’t built to withstand climate changes. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. Who gives what China is failing at: we need a technological evolution that works with the planet. Folks who say, “well they’re not doing it so why should we?” Are abdicating all responsibility and are probably lazy citizens to begin with.
yogthos 5y ago
Consumption is the root cause of the emissions. As long as the demand for goods continues, they have to be produced somewhere. Whether the factories are in US or in China is completely irrelevant. Furthermore, China is now a world leader in both solar and nuclear, and they're actively exporting this technology. The reality of the situation is that investing into clean energy is very profitable, and China has now secured its position as the world leader. When other countries start getting their act together, they'll be buying this technology from China.

ihsw 5y ago

> it invests more in decreasing CO2 emissions The depressing fact about this is that the US (and more generally the West) are not working towards real genuine CO2 emissions reductions but rather engages in book-keeping scams (ie: carbon credit markets.) "Carbon neutral" is a just an indulgence in the Catholic sense -- paying someone else to pray for you rather than actually changing your behavior.