Federal energy policies protect fossil fuels to the detriment of life on the Planet as we know it. More specifically, federal subsidy of wealthy polluters / campaign contributors disadvantages renewable energy development at a crucial moment.

James Lovelock
Illustration: Murdo Macleod

“Humans are too stupid to prevent climate change, according to the British scientist James Lovelock.”

While unacceptable to this Yankee, one can appreciate the recent observation that James Lovelock made in the Guardian: “I have a feeling that climate change may be an issue as severe as a war. It may be necessary to put democracy on hold for a while.” Well, at least the do-re-mi democracy (read: Energy Fascism) of American culture, eh, James?

For example, there is a difference in climate policy between the 2 major users of coal. NYC Treehugger Matthew McDermott relays some good news coming from Xinhua via Business Green. “Though coal still provides the majority of China’s power, there’s : New official Chinese stats show that the nation’s renewable energy capacity is now growing faster than its coal plants.”

Wind Turbine
photo: Fiona Shields via flickr.

While the U.S. Congress continues to ignore the warning signs, China leads the world in development of clean energy resources.

Through the end of 2009 nearly 180 GW of new power capacity was under construction, with the growth of renewables outpacing coal by some 16 GW. All told, low-carbon energy sources (hydro, nuclear, and renewables) will account for 250 GW, or 26% of China’s power capacity, by the end of 2010.

Also notable in the figures is the growth of wind power in Inner Mongolia, now reaching 7.3 GW at the end of last month. That’s an increase from 170 MW in 2005.

More Treehugger posts about Renewable Energy in China: