China soars into the lead

[hoon]

China has already overtaken the US as the world's "biggest polluter", a report to be published next month says.

The research suggests the country's greenhouse gas emissions have been underestimated, and probably passed those of the US in 2006-2007.

BBC NEWS | World | Asia-Pacific | China 'now top carbon polluter'

A rare distinction perhaps.

[Rog]

Kinda makes the whole Chinese exemption from Kyoto due to its 'developing' status rather moot.

[forfismum]

Kinda makes all those countries that signed up for it look a bit stupid.Swapping bags of smoke ,or do they call them "carbon credits".Building none productive windmills and doing other stunts while China and the others get on with making a joke of the whole thing.

[greenacy]

Hey come now guys...we need China's polluting factories to churn out our novelty discount junk found a checkout counters. If we make them responsible for their carbon emissions they will up their prices and the dollar stores become 10 dollar stores.

[Claire]

Their emissions per head of population are still much lower than the US though.

[Windguy]

Originally Posted by Claire

Their emissions per head of population are still much lower than the US though.

That's the biggest problem of all! Us telling them to lower their emissions when we are still far worse per capita.

[forfismum]

Now me dear Windy,thats not really accurate is it? In the Western world we have discovered that our industry and power generation is dirty and we know that we have to clean it up and we are doing so progressively.The Eastern countries have had the benefit of our experience and have chosen to ignore it and in fact have given two rude fingers to the environment.They have been aided and abetted by the dim dollops who invented carbon credits and other such nonsense.

[spot1234]

The US will have to get its act together if it wants to be number 1 again. Brittan should up its output to help, I'm leaving my lights on allnight and the heating on with the windows open for the cause. What are you doing? remember; energy conservation is for hippy's and communists.

[greenacy]

Originally Posted by spot1234

I'm leaving my lights on allnight and the heating on with the windows open for the cause. Energy conservation is for hippies and communists.

I sneaking around at night and running through everyones motion sensor flood lights. When I really want to have some fun I call a cab to a random address so they have to waste the petrol. I want to help the cause I just don't want it to cost me anything. I'M NOT HIPPY!!!

[britishinchina]

Originally Posted by forfismum

Now me dear Windy,thats not really accurate is it? In the Western world we have discovered that our industry and power generation is dirty and we know that we have to clean it up and we are doing so progressively.The Eastern countries have had the benefit of our experience and have chosen to ignore it and in fact have given two rude fingers to the environment.They have been aided and abetted by the dim dollops who invented carbon credits and other such nonsense.

dear forfismum,

as u obviously dont know, china is still very developing. but not many can understand what this actually means. you obviously dont understand anything about a different 'culture' at the other side of the world. you dont know anything about china in reality. am i right? perhaps you've just had a tiny 1 week visit to beijing? or do u just slag off china as you sit there at your computer, reading a few internet articles and watching the television?

Most the factories in china have been built by and are co-owned/managed by foreigners.... most where i live by the americans and british. the clothes you wear, the products you buy, are made by your own countrymens factories inside china, exploiting cheap labour costs. so go blame your own country for moving to china and creating rising pollution levels.. and no, get rid of your myth that its all about 'cars'.

china is ashamed by its air, sure, like the usa and india should be about theirs too. but unfortunately the chinese government cant kick out all the foreign companies who use and abuse china, otherwise it'd be seen yet again as some kind of threat