China's Green Potential
Admittedly, global warming will have a far more deleterious effect on the emerging economies of world than it will on the West. The peasant communities of the developing world will be unable to adapt at the same rate and with the same successes as, for example, the people of Europe and America. Economist Bradford DeLong, makes this assertion in his April 15th blog post.
Of course, adaptation under a business-as-usual scenario is detrimental and costly for everyone. It is important we seek to adapt now by investing in renewables, not later, as DeLong suggests to be the alternative, by
Mov[ing] a few miles north, relocat[ing] economic activity to get out of the paths of hurricanes and droughts, turn[ing] down our heaters, turn[ing] up our air conditioners, and liv[ing] our lives.
That being said, the effects of climate change are particularly concerning as they relate to China, a country well positioned to research, develop and distribute renewable technologies at home and abroad but chooses, in large part, to mainly export its successes in this industry. The Financial Times’ Energy Source blog makes the case that China is more focused on economic development than it is on achieving its own GHG emissions targets. (Perhaps, however, China has begun to truly understand the critical nature of the latter. FT points to an article by Xie Zhenhua.)
Moreover, FT writes, China’s international relationships make it possible for it to lead the developing world in its efforts to mitigate climate change. Should it choose instead to lead the finger-pointing campaign of accusations against the West, it will be damaging for the entire international community, but likely, most harmful at home.
