Throughout the last few decades, China has undergone rapid growth and urbanization, resulting in an expanding economy and GDP growth. However, with this growth, China has been titled the world 's largest polluter, accounting for the majority of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. China 's investment in green technology and renewable energy has made notable progress towards reducing pollution levels and preventing climate change, transforming the nation 's future. Granted, many other factors have led to China becoming the world 's largest investor in renewable energy. As with any investment, China has experienced, and continues to face various challenges ahead. Nonetheless, China has set many goals that will require determination,
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Yearly, air pollution kills 1.2 million Chinese citizens. Several large cities are blanketed in smog-filled air, with unhealthy P.M (particulate matter) levels. This smog has led to factories closing, as well as driving being banned at times. In 2007, China was named the world 's largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Coal, China 's primary source for energy and heat, is a heavily depended upon fossil-fuel, being non-renewable. China 's nearly omnipresent smog has resulted in citizens, even cities, migrating due to climate change, Zhoutao being one. Adding the amount of money it cost for water being diverted from the Yellow River, and China spent nearly $1 billion on the fiasco/ordeal/project. With over a billion Chinese citizens, a high demand for jobs, and factories/businesses not abiding to operational standards, this has ensued in expensive damage to the environment. Furthermore, many of the problems that have arisen due to pollution have ensued in political unrest, with over 50,000 environmental protests in China per year. If China continues to pollute at this rate, by 2030, they could account for 30% of the world 's total …show more content…
Globally, China produces 24.7% of all hydroelectric power production, with the Three Gorges Dam (located in the Yangtze River) being the main contributor. The Gobi Desert is home to the most solar farms. In 2015, its capacity was increased by 18 gigawatts (equal to the United States ' total solar capacity). China is known as the world 's largest investor in renewable energy. Worldwide, according to the International Energy Agency, China consists of 40% of renewable capacity growth, while wind and solar energy sectors have continued to grow and expand. In 2014 alone, $90 billion was invested. China 's 12th Five Year Plan (2010-2015), has helped them pursue their goal of renewable energy accounting for 15% of the world 's total energy mix, by 2020. Short-term impacts have been seen regarding coal, China 's most dependent factor for energy at 70%. Recently, the dependence on coal has dropped by 2% from 2014, and is continuing to lower. China also accounts for half of the world 's 80,000 hydroelectric dams. Before the end of 2015, China had already surpassed their goal of 100 GW (gigawatts) of total wind capacity. Additionally, China took steps towards reforming the state-controlled electricity pricing system. The reform states that citizens and business that are more affluent will pay more for
Yearly, air pollution kills 1.2 million Chinese citizens. Several large cities are blanketed in smog-filled air, with unhealthy P.M (particulate matter) levels. This smog has led to factories closing, as well as driving being banned at times. In 2007, China was named the world 's largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Coal, China 's primary source for energy and heat, is a heavily depended upon fossil-fuel, being non-renewable. China 's nearly omnipresent smog has resulted in citizens, even cities, migrating due to climate change, Zhoutao being one. Adding the amount of money it cost for water being diverted from the Yellow River, and China spent nearly $1 billion on the fiasco/ordeal/project. With over a billion Chinese citizens, a high demand for jobs, and factories/businesses not abiding to operational standards, this has ensued in expensive damage to the environment. Furthermore, many of the problems that have arisen due to pollution have ensued in political unrest, with over 50,000 environmental protests in China per year. If China continues to pollute at this rate, by 2030, they could account for 30% of the world 's total …show more content…
Globally, China produces 24.7% of all hydroelectric power production, with the Three Gorges Dam (located in the Yangtze River) being the main contributor. The Gobi Desert is home to the most solar farms. In 2015, its capacity was increased by 18 gigawatts (equal to the United States ' total solar capacity). China is known as the world 's largest investor in renewable energy. Worldwide, according to the International Energy Agency, China consists of 40% of renewable capacity growth, while wind and solar energy sectors have continued to grow and expand. In 2014 alone, $90 billion was invested. China 's 12th Five Year Plan (2010-2015), has helped them pursue their goal of renewable energy accounting for 15% of the world 's total energy mix, by 2020. Short-term impacts have been seen regarding coal, China 's most dependent factor for energy at 70%. Recently, the dependence on coal has dropped by 2% from 2014, and is continuing to lower. China also accounts for half of the world 's 80,000 hydroelectric dams. Before the end of 2015, China had already surpassed their goal of 100 GW (gigawatts) of total wind capacity. Additionally, China took steps towards reforming the state-controlled electricity pricing system. The reform states that citizens and business that are more affluent will pay more for