A Rare Glimpse Inside China's Power Plants

5 years ago Environment

Recent reports in the UK news suggest that China is currently building around two new power stations a week. This video provides a rare glimpse inside one of them. Is it so unique, or is it no different than Didcot power station? Why has it come to be a symbol of China's rapid growth?

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The issue of China's emissions have been was covered in great detail today by the Guardian, which elucidated the findings of a Dutch think-tank. The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency claims to have found that China's emissions overtook those of the US in 2006. This was, in part due to China's booming economic growth and hunger for energy.

However, John Ashton, the Foreign Office's representative for climate change said there was no point in blaming the Chinese, as the West had to set an example for China to follow. "We are fuelling that demand by buying Chinese goods" is an argument often presented. Climate skeptics, wonder why the average Brit should bother switching off their lights and avoiding flights abroad. Is this attitude childish? After all, Greenpeace UK's Director John Sauven said "Responsibility lies not just in Beijing but also in Washington, Brussels and Tokyo." What do you think?

Written by: Chris

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Old Comments

Mekhong Kurt says

Dec 8th, 2008 at 12am
Absolutely -- but that ought not let Beijing off the hook. Chinese leaders often argue that Chinese shouldn't be penalized since on a per capita basis, Chinese pollute on a one-to-one basis much less than, say, the average American. That's true -- but there are many more Chinese than there are Americans. To be fair, China also is forging ahead in areas such as solar and wind power, in serious ways. But with a burgeoning population and increasing energy demands, the country faces an enormous battle (just like the rest of us). *Global* coordinated effort is required. And even if one doesn't believe in global warming, who wouldn't like cleaner skies (and water and earth)? I haven't been to Beijing since 2002 -- I lived there 1986-88 -- and the worsening of pollution since my previous visit in 1992 was stunning. China has to act -- again, with the rest of us. In concert, not making up excuses. (And tell that to Washington; I have, over and over in e-mails to my various representatives, federal agencies, and the White House.)