- China is the world’s chief emitter of carbon dioxide, dwarfing the U.S.
- China is rapidly transitioning to renewables, building more solar in one year than all the solar installed in the U.S.
- China is still the world’s coal superpower and coal consumption is expected to continue increasing for at least 3 years
- The coal industry is politically very powerful in China, with coal companies, provincial governments, and industry workers all relying on it for income and jobs
- The U.S. may be able to help China transition away from coal by making solar cheaper, cutting a deal to reduce oil use, or by imposing carbon tariffs
- Leaving coal in the ground provides a form of insurance against future collapses of civilization
Published February 17, 2023
Visit Noahpinion to read Noah Smith’s original post China must stop its coal industry
