In the wake of record-breaking heat and unprecedented floods during this summer, China, the globe’s leading carbon contributor, has not seen a substantial public discourse on climate change mitigation. This absence of dialogue, despite China’s escalating climate vulnerabilities, has left environmental activists disheartened and yearning for more substantial conversations.
Historically, China’s official stance, as per state media, did accept that global warming increased its vulnerability to extreme weather events. However, this year, connections between local extreme weather patterns and China’s carbon emissions have been notably absent. It’s critical to highlight that China’s carbon footprint now comprises approximately a third of the global output and is on an upward trajectory.
Li Shuo, a senior adviser with Greenpeace in Beijing, remarked, “This is a monumental missed chance for the Chinese administration to mobilize domestic support for their climate objectives.” He emphasized the necessity of crafting a narrative that mirrors the actualities on the ground.
Interestingly, recent data from Weibo and Baidu, China’s major social media and search platforms respectively, showed no significant uptick in searches related to climate change. This, despite the fact that recent severe weather events have claimed at least 33 lives in Beijing alone.
Locals in both Beijing and the flood-affected areas of Hebei province acknowledged the shifting climate dynamics. A resident of the Hebei city of Zhuozhou, Mr. Su, noted, “Extreme weather seems to be a new norm. Summers are increasingly hot, while winters have mellowed.” Unfortunately, his residence and crops bore the brunt of these recent floods.
When searching Baidu on whether China should assume more accountability regarding climate change, the top results were predominantly from state-controlled outlets. These articles praised China’s leadership in climate action and simultaneously stressed the need for developed nations to shoulder more responsibility.
Regarding inquiries related to this story, China’s foreign ministry did not respond promptly. However, it’s worth noting that Chinese representatives have, in the past, staunchly defended their climate record. Moreover, they’ve consistently highlighted their stance on press freedom.
The sentiment in developed countries isn’t much different. Environmentalists express concern as governments, with an eye on the polls, have diluted their climate commitments. This is often a reaction to opposition from sections of society resistant to lifestyle modifications essential for reducing emissions.
Interestingly, China’s governance model, with its top-down approach, ideally situates it to drive impactful state-led campaigns that could bolster its role as a climate change front-runner. However, as per Fang Kecheng of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the climate narrative is employed distinctly. Kecheng points out that, for China, the climate debate is often wielded as a media tool to both glorify the nation and its leaders and also to critique western nations, particularly the US.
This approach marks a change. Roughly a decade ago, grassroots initiatives on air pollution spurred action from the Chinese authorities to combat the notorious smog that plagued cities like Beijing.
Professor Pan Zhongdang of the University of Wisconsin-Madison believes the government’s reticence stems from an apprehension of the potential repercussions of free speech. He comments, “The government appears to lack the self-confidence to facilitate a free discourse.” This is further complicated by President Xi Jinping’s clampdown on NGOs and media freedoms, making grassroots climate activism increasingly challenging. Activists now seek to sway a more centralized leadership.
Assistant Professor Yifei Li of New York University’s Shanghai Campus remarks, “The extent of censorship has reached a level where the government might be unsure about reintroducing free speech.”
While China has made ambitious green commitments, including President Xi’s proclamation to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, experts are clamoring for swifter action. They’re concerned that the lack of public engagement might impede the nation’s green transition. A recent study from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) indicates that China’s CO2 emissions surged by 10% in Q1 2023 compared to the previous year, marking a roughly 1% growth from the 2021 records.
Despite extreme climatic events, Lauri Myllyvirta, CREA’s chief analyst, notes that China’s recent narratives have leaned more towards energy security than climate change. He opines, “Highlighting China’s emissions role, even in a positive light, might disrupt this narrative.”
In essence, while the world grapples with a climate crisis, China’s public discourse seems to be swayed more by energy security and nationalism than by the urgent environmental challenges at hand. It remains to be seen if global pressures and internal climatic events will shift this narrative in the coming years.
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