Sunday, August 1, 2004

China turning to energy efficiency for solving its energy shortage [Environmental Entreprenuers] is 'a national community of business people who believe in protecting the environment while building economic prosperity.' Their July Update includes a facinating piece on energy policy in China. China's electric power consumption in 2004 will grow at a breathtaking 11% over that of 2003, with some regions growing nearly 25%. Chinese policy makers are clearly and publicly stating that the country needs to make fundamental changes to deal with its skyrocketing energy consumption.... China's has a policy goal of quadrupling its economy by 2020 while only doubling its electricity consumption.... [U]nder business as usual, China's annual electricity requirements [would] nearly triple.... China's top governmental agency recently issued national policy guidelines urging every province to develop and implement demand-side management. This high-level policy attention, along with the successful pioneering of DSM pilots in key regions, may pave the way for the introduction of DSM throughout the country.... E2 is actively encouraging members with specific interest in China to support the China-U.S. Energy Efficiency Alliance as part of their E2 membership. I wonder: Will energy strategy be yet another way that China leapfrog's a sleepy United States? See also NRDC'sChina Clean Energy Program. 2:00:43 PM    comment []  trackback []

15 Global Challenges The Millennium Challenge from the American Council for the United National University offers 15 Global Challenges Facing Humanity, and invites your comment. Like what, for instance? Like: 1. How can sustainable development be achieved for all? 2. How can everyone have sufficient clean water without conflict? 3. How can population growth and resources be brought into balance? 4. How can genuine democracy emerge from authoritarian regimes? 5. How can policymaking be made more sensitive to global long-term perspectives? 6. How can the global convergence of information and communications technologies work for everyone? 7. How can ethical market economies be encouraged to help reduce the gap between rich and poor? 8. How can the threat of new and reemerging diseases and immune micro-organisms be reduced? 9. How can the capacity to decide be improved as the nature of work and institutions change? 10. How can shared values and new security strategies reduce ethnic conflicts, terrorism, and the use of weapons of mass destruction? 11. How can the changing status of women help improve the human condition? 12. How can transnational organized crime networks be stopped from becoming more powerful and sophisticated global enterprises? 13. How can growing energy demands be met safely and efficiently? 14. How can scientific and technological breakthroughs be accelerated to improve the human condition? 15. How can ethical considerations become more routinely incorporated into global decisions? 1:41:28 PM    comment []  trackback []