Why China Needs Renewable Energy

By Michael Megarit

China is one of the world’s largest producers of greenhouse gases, accounting for some 27 percent of global emissions. The country is highly dependent on fossil fuels for energy and has been slow to adopt renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower. However, there are several compelling reasons why China should increase its reliance on renewable energy sources.

One of the main drivers of China’s need for renewable energy is the pressing need to reduce air pollution. In recent years, the country has been dealing with an increase in dangerous levels of air pollution due to its heavy reliance on coal and other fossil fuels. Air pollution has been linked to numerous health risks, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as long-term environmental damage. Switching to renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind, and hydropower can decrease the country’s emissions and air pollution levels, resulting in improved health and environmental outcomes.

Increasing the use of renewable energy sources in China could also provide economic benefits. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower are rapidly becoming cost-competitive with traditional sources of energy such as coal and gas. As technology advances, these costs are likely to continue to decrease, leading to greater cost savings for consumers and businesses. In addition, the development of renewable energy sources in China could create new jobs and industries.

Transitioning to renewable energy sources can reduce China’s dependence on foreign countries for access to resources. As of 2016, China imported up to 60 percent of its oil, and this number is likely to rise in the future. By increasing its reliance on renewable sources of energy, China can reduce its reliance on foreign sources and become more independent and self-sufficient.

Given these factors, a clear case can be made for why China should transition to renewable energy sources. Investing in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower can provide significant economic, environmental, and political benefits. Although the transition has been slow so far, China should work towards increasing its reliance on renewable energy sources in order to benefit itself and the global environment.

 

References

Miller, G., & Spoolman, S. (2020). Living in the environment. Cengage Learning.

Nawaz, A., Ullah, T., & Iqbal, H. (2018). Renewable Energy Sources and Their Potential Contribution to Mitigate Air Pollution in China. J. Chem. Eng. Process. Technol., 9(3). https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7048.1000266

Zhang, F., Wang, H., Xue, S., Zhang, H., & Li, Z. (2020). Contribution of renewable energy to energy independence of China. Applied Energy, 261,114778. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.114778