Dr. Chu spoke at the 23rd Forum at Tsinghua, the university from where both of his parents had graduated. His appointment as Energy Secretary earlier this year was part of a marked shift in US energy policy. In his speech, Chu used several scientific examples to outline the potentially catastrophic effects that could lie ahead.
Now it’s become a cliché to say that China is developing fast. But it’s nevertheless true - and on many fronts that rapid development has meant overtaking the U.S.
That’s often a source of some pride in China. But with today’s concerns about global warming, new claims that China now uses more energy than the U.S. have been less welcome.
To get an idea of what the trends are in China’s use of energy, and importantly, where that energy comes from, BON’s Katie Fischer spoke with Wu Chanhgua, director of The Climate Group.
China is the number one consumer of coal in the world, the biggest greenhouse gas emitter and also the world's largest maker of wind turbines and solar panels. As the country's energy consumption increases, where should China focus its efforts when it comes to developing- and using- cleaner sources of energy?
Susan Osman is joined by:
Ming Sung
Chief Representative for Asia-Pacific, Clean Air Task Force
Alvin Lin
China Climate and Energy Policy Director and Project Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council
Lei Hongpeng
Senior Programme Officer, Climate & Energy, World Wildlife Fund
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Well last week we looked at China's power dilemma, of how to provide for the country's growing energy demands without increasing carbon emissions through coal, or destroying wild rivers to produce hydroelectricity. Today BON’s Andrew Livingstone looks at an energy source that’s not just saving on fossil fuels; it’s helping ease another environmental concern at the same time.