How China can tip the scales on climate change by ‘taming its coal dragon’, among other measures
Real change requires new mindsets, policies and technologies, and China can play the role of world saviour while catalysing its clean-tech industry with series of bold moves as UN meeting looms in Paris
“If we act quickly, we still have a chance to save the world.”
This is a popular mantra at climate change conferences, and it will be heard again at the global Conference of the Parties at the end of November in Paris. But for the first time, the notion is starting to look like more than wishful thinking.
Sure, the massive challenge is still there: We have little room to add more carbon emissions to the atmosphere before we pass the point of no return, yet emissions keep rising, and the prospect of a global agreement is dim.
But if we can accelerate positive trends and changes in three areas – mindsets, policies and technologies – we still have a chance to avert disaster.
And more and more people are deciding to do just this: Focus on what they can do, within their own spheres of influence.
First, we need to change mindsets, starting with clarity on the crisis.
Media, think tanks, business leaders, and politicians are all contributing to a growing network of people engaged with the issue.