Peggy Liu, Chairperson non-profit group the Joint U.S.-China Cooperation on Clean Energy, says Friday in a discussion at the Woodrow WIlson Center that China has the desire to turn green and would if it was given instructions for how to do so. (0:10)
Peggy Liu, Chairperson of non-profit group the Joint U.S.-China Cooperation on Clean Energy, says Friday in a discussion at the Woodrow WIlson Center that because of China’s large population, it must a sustainability leader in the world. (0:20)
Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Duke Energy David Mohler says Friday in a discussion at the Woodrow WIlson Center that China is developing so rapidly that it will be the trail blazer in technologies that deal with climate change. (0:17)
By Leah Valencia, University of New Mexico – Talk Radio News Service
The Joint U.S.-China Cooperation on Clean Energy, a non-profit aiming to reduce China’s carbon footprint, is collaborating with Chinese mayors in a training program that teaches city leaders to reduce their environmental impact.
“China is developing so quickly and at such scale,” said David Mohler, senior vice president and chief technology officer for Duke Energy. “We saw a real opportunity to work with our Chinese counterparts.”
According to JUCCE China’s urbanization rate rose from 20 to 44.9 percent between 1980 and 2008. JUCCE said maintaining a clean national power grid for China’s 600 million population is an admittedly difficult task.
“Almost no matter what China does… it is going to set the curve for what happens with climate,” Mohler said. “Being the number one and number two emitters of CO2 globally, it became clear to us that we really need to work together to address the issue.”
The JUCCE mayoral training program provides workshops that train leaders in working with companies that can assist them in implementing more energy efficient programs and technologies in their cities.
“China is at a point where they do not need to be lectured on why to go green, they know that,” said Peggy Liu, chairperson of JUCCE. “What they want is a solution handed to them on a silver platter and that is what we are trying to do.”
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D- Ohio) says the Waxman-Markey bill is a good starting ground, but the level of presidential discretion in the bill needs more work.
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Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) says that 20 years from now he does not want to debate which country contributed the most environmental harm and “lost Earth”. Kerry says he’d like to view the U.S.’ climate change partnership with China as the beginning of a new era (0:16)
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) says that global climate change policy must take into account all countries’ wants and needs, but should also be firm enough so that each nation is held accountable (0:16).
Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) says that in order to get China to act on global climate change, we must understand how China’s perspective is different from that of the United States. (0:47).
“Twenty years from now, folks, I do not want to be debating who lost Earth,” Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) stated Wednesday during an address at the National Press Club in Washington.
“One hundred and ninety-two nations will gather this December in Copenhagen to hammer out a new global climate treaty, but two [the U.S. and China] have the capacity to set the tone and define what is possible,” he said, citing that the two nations together produce 40 percent of all carbon emissions in the world.
Kerry said there are grave misunderstandings between the American and Chinese populations that place a souring effect on the relationship between the two countries. He argued that America underestimates China’s willingness to fight climate change, and that China unreasonably fears that the U.S. is attempting to smother China’s economic rise.
Actually, Kerry said, China has already taken much more initiative towards renewable energy than most Americans realize. He reported that China is second in the world only to Germany in renewable energy investment; China currently invests $12.5 million per hour.
“China needs to understand that we will not enter into a global treaty … without a meaningful commitment from China to be part of the solution,” said Kerry. He argued that the U.S. must persuade China to act quickly and decisively and that to do so is in their best interests.
Kerry said that the United States’ perception of China is far different from how China sees itself. America sees China as the leading producer of carbon emissions today, and a burgeoning economic powerhouse. However, he said, China sees itself as a country with less cumulative emissions historically than the U.S. and with 500 million citizens living on less than two dollars per day.
“Our climate diplomacy depends on building a framework that is flexible enough to accommodate individual countries’ wants and needs, but firm enough to bring all of us on board and hold all nations accountable,” said Kerry.
By Laura Woodhead – Talk Radio News Service
Dialogue between the U.S and China is key to solving the most important questions of the 21st century, including environmental, economic, and nuclear proliferation concerns, said President Barack Obama Monday during an address to the first meeting of the U.S – China Strategic and Economic Dialogue.
“We cannot predict with any certainty what the future will bring, but we can be certain about the issues that will define our times,” the President said. “Our ability to partner with each other is a prerequisite for progress on many of the most pressing global challenges.”
The President said it was essential for both the U.S and China to work aggressively to prevent further economic downturn along with following the mandate of “common sense” in order to transform their energy economies.
“The United States and China are the two largest consumers of energy in the World,” Obama said. “Let’s be frank: neither of us profits from a growing dependence on foreign oil, nor can we spare our people from the ravages of climate change unless we cooperate.”
The President also addressed the importance of U.S – China cooperation in preventing rogue nations from gaining nuclear capabilities, particularly Iran and North Korea.
“The more nations acquire these weapons, the more likely they will be used,” Obama warned.
While much of the speech focused on the positive aspects of the U.S – China relationship, including respect for China’s history and culture, the President did address China’s human rights issues. He stressed that it was important that people should be “free to speak their minds.”
“Support for human rights and human dignity is ingrained in America,” Obama said. “Those rights include the freedom to speak your mind; to worship your God; and to choose your leaders. These are not things that we seek to impose, this is who we are.”
Obama outlined his view of the countries’ future relationship.
“I believe in a future where China is a strong, prosperous and successful member of the community.” Obama said. “This is not fixed, but it is a destination that can be reached if we pursue a sustained dialogue like the one we commence today.”
The President said that he was under no illusion that the United States and China would agree on every issue, but that this was what made discussions between the two countries all the more essential.
“[Disagreement] makes dialogue more important so that we can know each other better and communicate our concerns with candor.”
