I mean, why is China investing so heavily into renewables? Not because they want to do good for the planet and from the goodness of their hearts. It’s the cheapest energy source there is, and it could not give less fucks about some global crisis.
Chinese investment in renewables so far means they grow renewables while also growing coal. Between 80 and 100 gigawatts of coal production were added in 2025. Unfortunately, coal and gas production is steadily increasing worldwide. Contrast G7 trying to improve own living standard by reducing fossil usage locally, with G20 trying to fast-forward economic growth by any means available. Wind and solar grow fast, but they add to total production, rather than phase out fossils, almost everywhere outside EU. Source is the same, just a different page: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/electricity-production-by-source
Global North can’t pretend to be green itself while still externalizing harmful production and growing trade with countries ruled by people who don’t care about resource depletion and the planet remaining livable. I think there’s no alternative to focusing on producing locally (adhering to own democratic regulations, labor union negotiations etc) while implementing degrowth policies, both helping other countries do likewise and putting pressure on them to do so through trade measures.
I don’t believe that China makes these investments just because the energy is cheaper nor that Europe does it from the goodness of their hearts. Both parties are well aware that the long-term effects of climate change will be devastating to the lives of their population and economy among other things. It comes down to a balancing act between preventing long-term damage and stimulating short-term growth.
It’s unstoppable. But it could go faster…
I mean, why is China investing so heavily into renewables? Not because they want to do good for the planet and from the goodness of their hearts. It’s the cheapest energy source there is, and it could not give less fucks about some global crisis.
So please, EU, put the pedal to the metal.
Parts of China are unbreathable.
Parts of the US were also unbreathable before the EPA and we are heading back to smog days.
It’s also incredibly difficult for the supply of sunlight to be disrupted compared to oil or gas.
Elon’s working on it…
Chinese investment in renewables so far means they grow renewables while also growing coal. Between 80 and 100 gigawatts of coal production were added in 2025. Unfortunately, coal and gas production is steadily increasing worldwide. Contrast G7 trying to improve own living standard by reducing fossil usage locally, with G20 trying to fast-forward economic growth by any means available. Wind and solar grow fast, but they add to total production, rather than phase out fossils, almost everywhere outside EU. Source is the same, just a different page: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/electricity-production-by-source
Global North can’t pretend to be green itself while still externalizing harmful production and growing trade with countries ruled by people who don’t care about resource depletion and the planet remaining livable. I think there’s no alternative to focusing on producing locally (adhering to own democratic regulations, labor union negotiations etc) while implementing degrowth policies, both helping other countries do likewise and putting pressure on them to do so through trade measures.
China’s carbon emissions fell in 2025. I don’t know about coal capacity.
https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-clean-energy-just-put-chinas-co2-emissions-into-reverse-for-first-time/
I don’t believe that China makes these investments just because the energy is cheaper nor that Europe does it from the goodness of their hearts. Both parties are well aware that the long-term effects of climate change will be devastating to the lives of their population and economy among other things. It comes down to a balancing act between preventing long-term damage and stimulating short-term growth.
but right now, parts of China look like this all summer.
Its preparation for Taiwan. The Sun is not affected by a US naval blockade.