China: The World Greatest Carbon Dioxide Emitter

A dubious distinction? Well, it is a matter of time. Now, China is building 562 new coal power plants. With its cheap abundant coal deposits, it will be logical for a nation like China to want to rely on coal. It does not have to rely on the Middle East for power.

China has overtaken the US as the world greatest emitter of carbon dioxide according to a a Dutch report, though on a per capita basis, the US is still the leader.


Carbon Emissions 2006

China - 6,200m tonnes (population 1.3 billion) - 4.7 tonnes per individual
USA - 5,800m tonnes (population 303 million) - 19 tonnes per individual (Thanks Madonna!)
UK - 600m tonnes (population 60 million) - 10 tonnes per individual


As for rising demands for petrol and diesel in China, well, China has secured supplies in Iran. Guess what is it in exchange for? Hahaha. Oh well, playing with fire.

With Third World nations like China and India being exempted from the Kyoto Protocols, and these nations wanting to attain developed status, after all, every nation would want their 'place in the sun'* and good lives for their citizens, things definitely do not bode well. Quoting from an article on the Christian Science Monitor:

"China is the dominant player. The country is on track to add 562 coal-fired plants - nearly half the world total of plants expected to come online in the next eight years. India could add 213 such plants..."

This is gonna be fun!

Awesome!

*Guess which nation originally also wanted its place in the sun and what happened...