As a Canadian, I wish my country was better about energy use per capita. In Alberta, a lot of that comes from coal too. China does pollute a lot, but per capita they are far from the worst
If someone is able to build factories and produce basically any piece of plastic, electronic device or clothing we use, far cheaper than over here, there’s bound to be trade-offs.
These trade-offs concern human rights and the environment.
If we were to, say, halve our consumption of “stuff”, this would have a massive effect on pollution in China.
(But what about the holy growth?! :))
Environmental impact is trickier, less economically developed nations struggle to contain the environmental impacts of growth due to the costs involved.
I see it as a highly conscious longish term strategy for them, as now they have become a player to count on.
I also believe it’s been stupidly greedy, not to mention short sighted, of us (or “the market”) in the west.
You seem to be implying that moral and ethical considerations doesn’t really exist in our economy, which is exactly what I’m sorta’ trying to get across in my point.
Edit: I wasn’t referring to Chinas growth, I was actually thinking about BNP etc “over here”. And while expanding on the topic - using BNP as a sole metric of success is just such a bad idea.
Unless you are commuting really far every day by yourself by car, that is a ridiculous norm.
Canada's emissions don't come from its empty land. Half of its electricity comes from hydro power (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electricity_sector_in_Canada), which is used for heating in a lot of houses. Canada has among the world's worst CO2/capita emissions because of its oil sector, and because most Canadians have big houses, big cars (2+ per family), high consumption, and frequent air travel.
So in China it is considered less than 60% live in urban areas whereas in the US that number is just over 80%. So a better method of impact determination would be, how much is that portion contributing to the pollution of the country.
So always question per capita measurements with large segments of the population in a country don't truly participate.
Finally, only a free press and scientific society can confirm the truth
https://spiegel.de/international/europe/anger-rises-in-italy...
... For instance.
As proven in the examples mentioned in subsequent comments.
Color me unsurprised that the Mafia is breaking laws; there are also vanishingly few organizations like the Mafia in the developed West.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/sep/24/uk-franc...
When carmakers means employment for voters and tax income, it seems obvious governments will let them get away with crap, their motivation is to remain in power and that is easier when the voters are happily employed: https://qz.com/1045619/germanys-diesel-scandal-shines-a-ligh...