124. We Need To Talk About China

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">China. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On one hand, the country is the world’s largest source of carbon emissions, an economic and political powerhouse resting on a thick cloud of hydrocarbon pollution, contrary to the goals of the Paris Agreement. On the other hand, President Xi Jinping has set the stage for China to emerge as an environmental leader, with the highest reforestation rate in the world; it</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">makes and buys more electric cars than any other country by far; and is the world’s top renewable energy investor for the eighth consecutive year, including manufacturing 80% of solar cells globally.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is clear that China has the power to determine whether we can limit global temperature rise  to 1.5 degrees celsius. As we head into the COP26 international climate discussions, all</span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">eyes will be on the indomitable diplomatic skills of China and America’s special envoys for climate, Xie Xanhau and John Kerry, who brought about significant pact between the world’s two top polluters that significantly influenced the success of the Paris Agreement. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week we talk with</span> <strong>Peggy Liu</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">, a leading catalyst of a greener China and Former Prime Minister of Australia and President of the Asia Society,</span> <strong>Kevin Rudd</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">, who offers deep insight into China’s climate goals and trajectory of travel, gleaned over 35 years of working with the Chinese Government.  </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Enjoy the show!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">—</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Christiana + Tom’s book</span> <a href= "https://globaloptimism.com/the-future-we-choose/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">‘The Future We Choose’</span></a> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">is avail