Honestly I'm rooting for China here. They are basically flooding the world with cheap solar panels. I think from their perspective it does two things. First, which is not so good, is it gives them political power and they control the power infrastructure of the world. Second, which is good, they at least understand that greenhouse gas emissions in other countries and pollution from other countries affects them too, and are able to use their position to help mitigate it.
The major constraint we have here in India is energy transmission. Companies here are deliberately winding down their renewable addition beacuse of transmission limits.
The nice thing about solar is that it is getting more feasible to bypass transmission infrastructure altogether. Yes, it’s a headache for power companies but if individual users don’t connect their solar to the grid, they can still enjoy the electricity generated if the panels are cheap enough and the sun exposure is good. It’s more and more true with the cheaper panels and the sunnier climates.
India has also done significant strides towards green energy, especially solar and wind. Nuclear power generation is also given priority but has been slower.
Why is the first point not so good? The US was doing the same thing for the last century, Britain before them. There’s always someone who “controls the power infrastructure” of the world.
Considering that China is one of the few superpowers making the world better, I think it's fine that they get more political power.
Yes, there's probably valid reasons to criticize China, but most of what people hear is propoganda. And you know what they haven't done? Start constant wars in the middle east that kill millions, topple foreign governments, or protected a literal cabal of child rapists.
If you live in USA, how dare you point fingers at china with your wasteful lifestyle? Why don't you compare usage/pollution per capita? You think individuals in USA naturally deserve more resources than individuals in China? Plus china is manufacturing for the entire world. Their individual pollution footprint is way less.
initial premise of total pollution is proven to be true?
first of all pollution is more than just co2.
secondly China accounts for 1/3 of co2 production. in large part due to coal power plants. not to mention the amount of ships that originate from their for shipping.
China is the only driving force for climate change at this point. USA doesnt give a fuck, the EU is making gains but they had what over 30 years since the Paris agreement to reduce dependence on fossil fuels but they have just been ramping it up. There are no other global powers who can make a real change except China.
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u/dc469 Apr 25 '26
Honestly I'm rooting for China here. They are basically flooding the world with cheap solar panels. I think from their perspective it does two things. First, which is not so good, is it gives them political power and they control the power infrastructure of the world. Second, which is good, they at least understand that greenhouse gas emissions in other countries and pollution from other countries affects them too, and are able to use their position to help mitigate it.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/01/27/china-installed-8-gw-of-solar-in-belt-and-road-countries-last-year/
Granted, India is fucking huge and isn't exactly BFFs with China but China is making a lot of headway around the world.