Topic: Environmental Impacts of Emerging Energy Technology
Country: China
Delegate Name: Ashley Sherman-Hay
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All China position papers GLIMUN 2010 committees
In the wake of the ever changing times coupled with the world's environmental changes at the forefront, a unified effort across the world is needed to integrate alternative energy production means into industrialization and decrease Greenhouse Gas effects, one of many contributing issues to the global environmental problem. Due to the People's Republic of China's fossil fuel utilization (and production) and carbon dioxide production, the nation surpassed the United States in recent years as the largest emitter of Greenhouse Gases. Serving as motivation for change, PRC has invested more money into renewable energy sources such as hydropower, solar power and wind power. This alteration in investments has placed China as a leader in renewable energy production. Considering this from both an economic and environmental standpoint, China has implemented aggressive energy policies and would like to see great increase in the use of energy conserving production methods. Sinopec and CNPC are fossil fuel production companies that are government owned, making the unification of standards much simpler than in an entirely capitalistic society.
In an effort to reduce Greenhouse Gas and carbon dioxide emissions, China would like to see all nations implement production methods including but not limited to: hydropower, solar power and wind power. China recognizes that combating this is not solely a national issue, but one the world must band together to resolve.
Theoretically speaking, the electric car is an excellent idea and if the Lithium-Ion battery that powers it can be manufactured, utilized and disposed of correctly, the battery will be far more warmly received. A majority of the economic burden prompted by the battery results from the manner in which it was charged. When charged by coal-based means, the battery's environmental effects increased by 13% and decreased by 40% when charged by means of hydropower. These statistics serve as proof for increasing environmentally beneficial energy production means.
Regarding the turbine related bird casualties, China realizes that in the event of an endangered species, while this may be detrimental to the population, each individual nations can take action if they feel this poses a great enough issue. If the turbines beneficially serve the nation and prompt safer and more efficient energy usage and the population losses do not strain populations this is an issue that can be considered at a later date.
