How China is (and isn't) fighting pollution and climate change | Angel Hsu

Summary

This talk explores China's evolving environmental efforts, particularly its battle with air pollution and coal dependency. Starting with a personal story about unreliable air quality data, it highlights China's environmental awakening driven by public outcry. The country has made remarkable strides in renewable energy, leading in hydropower, wind, and solar. Despite these advances, concerns remain over coal consumption, pollution exports, and unreliable data. With global implications, China's environmental choices are crucial in shaping the world's climate future, as the nation navigates its complex path towards sustainable leadership.

Takeaways

• 🌆 China's air quality app once reported good air quality despite visible pollution, highlighting discrepancies in data accuracy.
• 🌬️ The failure to measure PM2.5, fine particulate matter, led to widespread citizen outcry over inaccurate air quality reports.
• 📈 Social media and public questioning spurred an environmental awakening in China, pushing the government to address pollution.
• ⚡ China's reliance on coal for two-thirds of its electricity spurred the government to launch a 'war on coal' to reduce pollution.
• 🌍 China leads the world in hydropower, wind, and solar energy capacity, with massive investments driving this transition.
• 🌞 In 2017, China installed 35 gigawatts of solar power in just seven months, surpassing many countries' total solar capacity.
• 📊 China's coal consumption peaked around 2013, leading to notable reductions in air pollution and improvements in life expectancy.
• 📉 However, there is uncertainty around China's recent fossil fuel consumption, raising concerns about a potential increase in emissions.
• 🚴 Environmental experiments, like dockless bike sharing, have had mixed success, sometimes leading to unintended consequences like bike overuse.
• 🌐 Despite domestic environmental progress, China is still exporting pollution abroad through infrastructure projects like coal-fired plants as part of the One Belt, One Road Initiative.

Q & A

What prompted the environmental awakening in China regarding air pollution?

The disconnect between official air quality statistics and what citizens were experiencing, particularly after PM2.5 pollution went off the charts in 2012, prompted citizens to question the data and demand more transparency.

Why was PM2.5 considered politically sensitive in China?

PM2.5, or fine particulate pollution, was linked to serious health issues, and the government kept data on it secret due to its harmful effects and the fear that it might trigger public unrest.

How did citizens in China begin to respond to the air pollution crisis?

Citizens became more aware of the health risks of air pollution and started demanding greater transparency. They also adopted measures like purchasing air purifiers and incorporating PM2.5 references in pop culture, such as musical festivals.

What role did Chai Jing's documentary 'Under the Dome' play in raising awareness?

'Under the Dome' played a major role in bringing air pollution awareness to the forefront by highlighting that it caused one million premature deaths annually in China. The documentary received over 100 million views in a weekend before being pulled by the government.

How has China's government responded to air pollution concerns?

In response to public outcry, China's government has taken steps like shutting down small coal mines, limiting coal consumption, and investing in clean energy sources such as hydropower, wind, and solar energy.

What are some examples of China's clean energy achievements?

China leads the world in hydropower, wind, and solar power generation. For instance, it has installed enough hydropower capacity to power two homes per citizen and surpassed its 2020 solar power target well ahead of schedule.

How is China's shift to clean energy affecting global climate change?

China's reduction in coal consumption and investments in renewable energy have contributed to reductions in carbon emissions, which is a positive step toward addressing global climate change, given China's large carbon footprint.

Despite progress, why should we be cautious about China's environmental data?

China's environmental data, particularly regarding coal consumption and carbon emissions, is often revised after the fact. There are also concerns about whether China's emissions are actually increasing despite reported reductions.

What challenges does China's One Belt, One Road Initiative pose to environmental progress?

While China is reducing pollution domestically, it has been exporting pollution abroad by financing coal-fired power plants in over 68 countries as part of its infrastructure investments, which complicates its role as a global environmental leader.

Why is China seen as a potential global environmental leader despite its challenges?

With the US withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, people are looking to China to fill the global leadership void on environmental issues. China's significant investments in clean energy and green job growth position it as a key player in determining the global environmental future.