China mitigating the impact of carbon dioxide - Essay Example

 China-mitigating the impact of carbon dioxide How much carbon dioxide China produce every year and where do these mainly comes from, compare it to other countries To date, the extent of CO2 release in China despite current international efforts intended to ensure its decline continues to augment catastrophically. This is evident with the current studies contending Chinese still continues to lead in terms of CO2 emission whereby currently it is cited to have exceeded its burning of coal by 17% (Worland). This is contrary to what State’s authorities there earlier had projected and informed their global allies the menace is under control. Hence, bringing doubts whether the state is serious and how true or accurate are its statistics that it tables almost each year during varied global conventions. On average, this state alone emits an approximate of 9 billion tons annually, which is quite high compared to numerous states leave alone blocs like US, Asia producing 5 billion tons and 12.3 million tons respectively (Evans & Rogers) and (Bigelow & Tim 168). Much of this kind of release in China is due to the current increasing rate of burning of Coal, which whose inception of increasing started in 2003 (Bigelow & Tim 168). Probably, the reason behind the increasing CO2 emission is due to the off shore productions from other states where the China undertakes those services without considering its impact on environment According to Bigelow and Tim (168), China alone extent of releasing CO2 is by far huge in such a way its capacity is equals to that of US, Japan and EU combined. Consequently, this poses a great risk despite China’s respective authorities contending to have contained the situation. In addition, the state has recently unveiled how it intends to establish approximately 562 coal-fired units (Bigelow & Tim 168). The said units based on the current energy needs by numerous sprouting industries in the country will not be that small. For instance, approximately 70% of the state’s industries rely on burning coal to obtain their energy, which translates to high emissions compared to other countries (Gaubatz & Wu). Besides, there is also another significant release from automobile whereby in certain regions like Shanghai this emission goes as high as 50% of that bloc’s CO2 release combined. Other areas according to Wang et al. (706) besides automobile include onsite constructions and material transportation whereby the former releases approximately 5,229 kg/m. This quantity is by far huge compared to other developing states whose CO2 release is insignificant like in Africa whereby industrialization has not even reached to the extent of either China or US (Bigelow & Tim 168). According to Evans and Rogers’ recent article relaying varied state’s CO2 release, Africa’s entire bloc CO2 release is approximately 1.1 million tons, which in comparison to the leading US and China emissions is extremely small. However, this does not exclude Africa from experiencing environmental impacts evident in the way currently climatic conditions have become capricious. What china has done to mitigate the effect specifically? Contrary to numerous states that have alleged both China and US are ignorant of numerous policies that global agencies have instituted to shun climate degradation, it has however tried to implement varied national policies. For instance, China this year revealed its intentions of reducing the CO2 emission levels stated in 2005 by approximately 60-65% (“ABC News”). This coupled with other numerous advancements devised and proposed by Chinese government; experts have contended the country seems now to be on the right track towards curbing its excessive CO2 release (Gallagher 33). However, despite these advancements and proposals by Chinese government, the extent of CO2 emissions from the numerous sprouting industries by the day is still high, which makes the country appear as if is it is not doing enough. One of the policies implemented and currently in place includes the vehicle exercise taxation (Gallagher 33). This policy normally compels those owning automobiles with big engines to be parting with significant amount of taxation that commensurate with extent of CO2 release. Hence, discouraging people from opting to own vehicles like SUV whose impact through pollution is quite high compared to small engine cars. These laws are extremely stringent compared to those in US but the challenge emerges with double release not only from the automobiles but also from industries (Gallagher 33). Hence, prompting other global states claim Chinese government does not exhibit the necessary willingness towards curbing this menace, which has ensued to political issues. Since, some states contend due to the state’s extent of growing economy, the leading global powers are reluctant in compelling her to comply with environmental stringent measures. For instance, this is evident in the Liu’s article contending from 2000-2013 the estimated figure was lower by 2.9 giga tons, which is 40% less. Consequently, this raises political issues more so to the state herself thinking the other players while in the quest of increasing their rate of industrialization seem to be pursuing other issues (Liu). In addition, the state has also emerged with other options known to give minimized emissions like renewable and safer sources (Gallagher 33). These include nuclear and hydropower options, which according to Gallagher (33) the extent of their installation is twice compared to those of US. This is due to much emphasis in compliance with Renewable Energy Law of 2005, which the state devised with the intention to compel energy consumers or operators to be purchasing their reserves from renewable generators (Gallagher 33). In addition, in its quest to curb CO2 release menace, Chinese regime has emerged with “Low Carbon Tourism” policy (Chen, Yisheng Liu & Guowei 94). The core intention of this policy encompasses reducing the extent of emission coupled with ensuring tourists once in the country like in any other region that boasts of attractive sceneries also contribute to the declining of CO2 emission, which is a problem in China. Hence, ensuring no sector that requires energy remains unregulated. The core reason why the government results to implementing stringent measures more so taxing big engines is due to these kinds of cars assuming largest market share. This is evident with the 2012 statistics depicting the big cars’ market share continuing to augment annually by a margin 8% contrary to simple cars with an increase of 6%. Why does she do it and how well it goes so far? China’s motive towards curbing this menace is to avoid the blame by other global players as the leading state that is not doing anything whereas it is the most culpable together with the US. Hence, this has prompted the state to comply with varied policies devised by global agencies besides enacting some that will ensure CO2 release nationally is at minimal capacities. This is contrary to how the state behaved there earlier during Kyoto protocol’s period where together with US deliberately declined to sign the pact citing of economic issues. In addition, currently there is no other region experiencing severe environmental effects like China, which compels her respective authorities to act with prompt. This is in safeguarding environment through complying with not only nationally devised policies but also those set by global agencies. Because failing to curb the menace by employing the appropriate mechanisms will not only adversely affect the environment but also result to health risks, which some regions have evidenced. The other reason why China is actively involved in controlling CO2 emissions is due to the current day’s increased interdependence. Hence, by failing to comply while other global states have actively embraced and implemented the already set environmental policies will mean souring relationship with them. Since, they will be compelled by other member states not to either trade with them because China is currently eyeing the developing regions. Therefore, to get raw materials like coal, which it does not have any of their deposits must comply with and be at par with other states that have backed varied policies meant to safeguard environment. Chinese interdependence is evident with her extent of undertaking varied infrastructural projects more in East and central Africa. Despite China having made and implemented varied policies meant to reduce CO2 release, being successful has not been that easy. Since, its quest to ensure low levels of this menace has come with a price to pay irrespective of sound policies that the state might contend to have through her respective authorities. This includes compelling many to adopt smaller engine cars, which somehow adversely affects her economy. However, the extent of this menace is far from what many agencies deem will be a onetime shorter commitment for it to be resolved within few years from. This is because despite Chinese government emerging with numerous policies, its extent of industrialization continues to augment annually by big margin. Since, numerous products are outsourced from other global blocs more so US and the west to be made in China. Hence, worsening the state because resources meant to curb this menace do not commensurate with what it intends to attain by either 2030 or 2020 environmentally. Work Cited Bigelow, Bill & Tim Swinehart. A People's Curriculum for the Earth: Teaching Climate Change and the Environmental Crisis. Milwaukee, Wisc: Rethinking Schools, 2014. Print. Chen, Feng, Yisheng Liu & Guowei Hua. Ltlgb 2012: Proceedings of International Conference on Low-Carbon Transportation and Logistics, Green Buildings, Beijing, China, October 12-13, 2012. Berlin: Springer, 2013. Internet resource. China commits to stopping rise in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. ABC News. 1st July 2015. Web. 1st December 2015. Evans, Lisa & Rogers, Simon. “World carbon dioxide emissions data by country: China speeds ahead of the rest.” The Guardian. 31st January 2011. Web. 1st December 2015. Gallagher, Kelly S. Acting in Time on Energy Policy. Washington, D.C: Brookings Institution Press, 2009. Internet resource. Gaubatz, Piper & Wu, Weiping. The Chinese City. London: Routledge. Liu, Cecily. China's CO2 emissions overestimated. China Daily. 28Th August 2015. Web. 1st December 2015. Wang, Xianwei, et al. "Estimation Of Carbon Dioxide Emission In Highway Construction: A Case Study In Southwest Region Of China." Journal Of Cleaner Production 103. (2015): 705-714. Business Source Complete. Web. 1 Dec. 2015. Worland, Justin. China’s Carbon Dioxide Emissions Far Greater Than Previously Acknowledged. Time. 4Th November 2015. Web. 1st December 2015. Read More