Economic Development in China and the Global Climate Challenge Case Study

Economic Development in China
and the Global Climate Challenge
Case Study

Introduction
China is a key emitter of carbon gases
it has been part of the global debate on climate change
It has a fundamental policy that involves the transition towards reduction in
greenhouse gas emission
China has experienced 30 years of increased economic growth, but of late, the
rate of growth has slowed down.
The growth rate in GDP fell to 7.7% by 2013 hitting the lowest levels since
the Asian financial crisis of 1997.
Though the country expects to grow its economy to 8% in the next few years,
there is fear that it might experience a fall in the rate of growth to 5% by 2030
China’s economy has the potential for 50% growth within the next 15 years
however; the risk of climate change and environmental damage cast a shadow
on the prospect for any long term growth

The global challenge
 Over the past two decades, the tropical storm action in Atlantic
Ocean, the Caribbean as well as the Gulf of Mexico has rose in
duration, frequency as well as intensity.
 Attributing a specific event of weather to global warming has
become very difficult to researchers.
 Scientists are very confident in that the higher temperatures that
are being experienced lead to extreme weather which is very costly.
 Global warming is the increase in the average global temperatures.
This phenomenon has been there since the period of industrial
revolution.
 Since the year 1980, the increased average in global temperatures
has reached 0.8 degrees
 Global warming is therefore a process that is ongoing.
 Research has shown that the average global temperatures will rise
to about 0.3-0.7 degrees Celsius by the year 2035

The global challenge
Carbon dioxide is released in the atmosphere from various
sources particularly human activities.
They include burning fossil fuels like natural gas, the oil
and coal.
These fossil fuels get applied as power in home, factories
as well as vehicles.
Moreover, measuring economic growth by the investment
rate, that exceeded 35% to 40% of national GDP from 1980
to 2003
Global warming makes ocean waters warmer
Over the past two decades, the tropical storm action in
Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean as well as the Gulf of
Mexico has rose in duration, frequency as well as intensity.