From the Daily Skeptic
Author: Will Jones
Bjorn Lomborg said at the World Economic Forum that the West's rush to abandon fossil fuels and achieve “net-zero” carbon dioxide emissions has plunged us into poverty while making China rich, and China is vigorously developing coal-fired Industry, selling us all the “green” technology. telegraph. Here is an excerpt:
Since the 1990s, climate change has become a focus for politicians and elites in rich countries. It emerged just as the world was coming out of the Cold War. There is relative peace and trust around the world, widespread economic growth, and rapid progress in eradicating poverty. Especially in European capitals, it feels like most of the planet's big problems have been solved, so climate change is the final frontier.
These proponents of climate action relish the goal of ending the dependence on fossil fuels that has fueled two centuries of staggering growth. Of course, it will cost hundreds of billions of dollars, but there is always more to grow.
What a childish, narrow world view this is. Time has not been kind to the silly notion that climate change is humanity’s only remaining problem, or that the planet will come together to solve it. Geopolitics and economics mean a rapid global transition to fossil fuels is unlikely.
As many have long known, most of the world has never been more myopically focused on climate change. Despite great progress, in some countries life remains a struggle against poverty, hunger and disease. In many more countries, including India, the priority is to create more jobs and life-changing growth and development. Outside the most advanced economies, climate change has understandably been an issue that has received relatively little attention from voters.
European and American leaders trumpet “net zero” as if it has global support. But this unity was soon revealed to be a mirage. On the one hand, the destabilizing axis of Russia, Iran and North Korea will not support Western efforts to address climate change. In fact, according to McKinsey, achieving net-zero emissions targets would require Russia to spend $273 billion annually on climate policy—roughly three times Russia’s military spending last year. That won't happen.
Geopolitical challenges are even more severe. China's growth depends on burning more coal. It is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, with the largest increase of any country last year. In 1971, renewable energy accounted for 40% of China's primary energy. By 2011, as coal use increased, this proportion fell to 7%. Since then, the share of renewable energy has increased slightly to 10%. Strong climate action could cost China nearly a trillion dollars a year, undermining its progress toward becoming a wealthy nation.
The reality is that most of the world—including economic powerhouse India and emerging economies—will continue to focus on getting rich, often by relying on fossil fuels. Russia and its ilk will completely ignore climate change concerns. China will make money by selling Western solar panels and electric cars while only modestly limiting its own emissions.
When rich countries irresponsibly try to export the costs of climate policy to poor countries through carbon taxes, they will further exacerbate a divided world.
Worth reading in full.
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