The United States and China are responsible for a large percentage of the worlds CO2 emissions which are raising the temperature of our planet and creating a Climate Crisis impacting all of our planet’s inhabitants. Leaders from both countries have been meeting on and off over the past couple of years to make progress on this issue that impacts everyone alive now and future generations.
As far back as the 1850’s, research showed CO2 emissions impact temperatures. In the 1960’s Exxon oil researchers predicted the impacts of these emissions on the planet with great accuracy. The science is clear that humans have impacted the planets temperature by burning fossil fuels like coal and petroleum.
According to the New York Times, the statements of cooperation released separately by the United States and China do not include a promise by China to phase out its heavy use of coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, or to stop permitting and building new coal plants. That has been a sticking point for the United States in months of discussions with Beijing on climate change.
In the current agreement, both countries agreed to triple the amount of renewable energy globally by 2030 and that increase should accelerate the replacement of coal, oil and gas electrical generation. Both countries agreed to “meaningful absolute power sector emission reduction” which appears to be the first time China has agreed to cut emissions in any part of its economy.
This agreement is a sign of progress in the battle against our Climate Crisis but there is a lot of work ahead for both countries during the transition away from dirty, polluting fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy.
We can all contribute to the fight against our Climate Crisis. One way is by going solar. We’d love to give you a free, custom solar quote so you can understand the impact you can make environmentally as well as the financial benefits that come with being an owner of a solar PV system. Just fill out our contact form and we’ll be in touch.
