Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

The reality behind China's 'green power'

By Arthur Thomas - posted Friday, 9 October 2009


As well as wind, these areas are plagued with water shortages. The 10MW Stage I component of the Shizuishan array will consume a substantial volume of water for regular cleaning. What water is available is unsuited for cleaning solar panels without pre-treatment. When completed, the array will increase Phase I water consumption by 400 per cent.

Bringing this hi-tech energy to remote communities comes at a cost - the lifeblood of the region - their precious water.

Site selection needs more serious technical input and less political interference with over simplistic plans to bring alternative energy to the poor rural regions to score cheap political points.

Advertisement

It is China’s intention to have 1GW of installed solar power generation by the end of 2011 and 10GW by 2020. That is a lot of cleaning water. Beijing will have to carry out a fine balancing act in deciding which has the higher priority - popularity, solar power, or water.

Where to at Copenhagen

China faces two problems at Copenhagen.

The first problem is its unacceptable and unworkable proposal to use energy intensity as the criteria for China’s emissions. Even using 2005 as the benchmark, the adoption of such a scheme grants China the right to proceed with business as usual and continue to increase its existing high emissions rates until 2020. That will effectively negate the reduction efforts and economic sacrifices of other nations.

China’s massive coal fired energy expansion program is still in progress and these additional “back up” plants will increase the overall number of base load plants and contribute to an additional major increase in carbon emissions.

The second problem is the net effect of China’s renewable energy footprint. The proposed installation of base load coal-fired backup systems will seriously discount the 15 per cent claim by 2020.

For our politicians

It is time for our politicians to get down and work for their pay, and forget about photo ops and self-aggrandisement. It is time to face the reality that climate change cannot be ignored, nor can it be considered as another purely commercial opportunity for the finance sector. It is time for hard and non-politically biased decision-making, genuine separation of political ideals and learn from China’s mistakes.

Advertisement

It is also time to realise that despite the rhetoric, neither Mr Rudd nor Mr Turnbull has the family tree to venture forth and walk on water without water wings.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. Page 5
  7. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

6 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Arthur Thomas is retired. He has extensive experience in the old Soviet, the new Russia, China, Central Asia and South East Asia.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Arthur Thomas

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 6 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy