China Confronts Climate Change

If one did not already realise, the foreword to this significant book highlights that China is currently responsible for one third of the the world's greenhouse gas output and 16 of the world's 20 most polluted cities live within its boundaries. In the wake of Paris, actions in China assuming even greater importance. The traditional approach is centralised and top-down, but these policies may not be implemented on the ground. Hence the importance of this book and what it reports in terms of grassroots initiatives within China's regions to address climate change. This includes some grassroots pressure owing to the effects of pollution on health, particularly air quality. Although China is developing industrially and still building large numbers of coal-fired power stations, they are also leaders in renewable energy, particularly wind and solar. They have plans in place for vast eco-cities, one of which opening in 2020 will accommodate 800,000 people. The author criticises this for still being based on the centrality of the car even though public transport will be well developed. In his conclusion, he highlights the importance of multilevel governance, 1% actions that make a small contribution, and consumptive responsibilities in which we can all take part by thinking more carefully about what we buy.