china Archives – The Green Optimistic

China Bans Imported Recyclables from US, Now Cities Just Burn Them

Matias Prieto — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 06:23:41 +0000

Not so long ago, China processed 40 per cent of United States recyclables. However, in 2018 China decided to stop importing a lot of this garbage. This decision left U.S. cities with big mountains of recyclables to process. So now in many cases, they are just burning them. The case of Chester, Philadelphia In the […]

The post China Bans Imported Recyclables from US, Now Cities Just Burn Them appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Deadly Heatwaves Could Strike China by End of Century

Arsenij Percov — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 21:29:07 +0000

China is known as one of the most polluted countries in the world. It is not a lie since China is the largest polluter on Earth. However, nobody expects the level of pollution to cause one place to become uninhabitable by the end of the century. Sadly, this may be a real scenario for the […]

The post Deadly Heatwaves Could Strike China by End of Century appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

The Way China Invests Heavily in Concentrated Solar Power

Arsenij Percov — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 20:08:06 +0000

China’s power system operators must invest in renewable energy to meet climate commitments. The cheapest options are wind power and PV, but they deliver power only when it’s sunny or windy. Their more expensive alternative, Concentrated Solar Power, can store its solar energy relatively inexpensively, also for long durations, and can deliver power regardless of […]

The post The Way China Invests Heavily in Concentrated Solar Power appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China Toughens Winter Smog Campaign

Janina Lazo-Cruz — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 16:43:10 +0000

The Ministry of Environmental Protection (EMP) of China announced its preparation of launching a strengthened campaign to cut smog and meet the air quality standard, after realizing that since its campaign launching in April, a number of local government bodies at county level or below in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region are still not aware of the […]

The post China Toughens Winter Smog Campaign appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Chinese Farmers Paid to Convert Livestock Wastes to Fuel and Fertilizer

Janina Lazo-Cruz — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 19:11:15 +0000

China encourages its farmers to develop animal waste processing facilities, which allow conversion of wastes to fertilizer and fuel, by giving them incentives. This is to address the country’s problem on increasing animal waste due to the rapid growth of poultry and hog farming. The objective is to avoid both the release of hazardous pollution […]

The post Chinese Farmers Paid to Convert Livestock Wastes to Fuel and Fertilizer appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China Launches World’s Largest Floating Solar Power Plant, Surpasses US

Nicholas Say — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 19:20:32 +0000

When Jimmy Carter installed solar panels on the roof of the White House, solar technology wasn’t in any position to displace fossil fuels. But times have changed, and today solar power is capable of replacing fuels like coal. A New Future China got a bad reputation for creating a lot of pollution, but recently a […]

The post China Launches World’s Largest Floating Solar Power Plant, Surpasses US appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Post Paris-Exit, World Looks to China for Climate Leadership

Nicholas Say — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 19:34:22 +0000

The exit of the United States from the Paris Climate Accords has created quite a stir in the international community. While the amount of environmental damage this action will create is unknown, the world is already looking to China to pick up the slack. China is an emerging power, and unlike the United States they […]

The post Post Paris-Exit, World Looks to China for Climate Leadership appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

The Three Chinese EV Companies Planning to Compete With Tesla

Nicholas Say — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 06:43:47 +0000

Tesla’s Model 3 is creating a lot of buzz in the plug-in car market. While China has a reputation for being environmentally insensitive, they are currently the largest market for full EV’s. There are three companies that are looking to capitalize on the excitement that Tesla has created, and it is hard to see a […]

The post The Three Chinese EV Companies Planning to Compete With Tesla appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China Blames Climate Change For Rising Sea Levels

Nicholas Say — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 20:13:51 +0000

The Chinese government is dealing with rising sea levels across its coastline, and it has pointed a finger at climate change as the culprit. China’s State Oceanic Administration cites climate change as well as El Nino and La Nina as factors that contributed to the record high sea levels recorded in 2016. The average sea […]

The post China Blames Climate Change For Rising Sea Levels appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China’s Electric Car Scandal Could Happen in the U.S.

Courtney Lepping — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 18:41:10 +0000

Every economic system has an ugly reality and communist countries like China are no exception. An electric car scandal that recently surfaced was unexpected, however, especially with the seemingly unbiased green car revolution. China has a reputation for being a leader in solar and wind power, outpacing similar efforts in other countries. While China’s push […]

The post China’s Electric Car Scandal Could Happen in the U.S. appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China Needed to Help Pay For Russia’s Hyperloop Project

Courtney Lepping — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 03:34:12 +0000

The Russian government seeks China’s financial support of the possible $500-million Russian hyperloop project. In trying to convince China to lend aid, Russia said of the 70-kilometer transportation line that it would benefit both countries. The Russian hyperloop project would run along the Pacific Coast from Russia’s port of Zarubino to China’s Jilin province. The […]

The post China Needed to Help Pay For Russia’s Hyperloop Project appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Chinese Kindergartners More Knowledgeable About Electric Cars

Courtney Lepping — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 19:58:11 +0000

Not many were introduced to electric cars as early as kindergarten. Yet, in China, Tesla is providing an educational program for kindergartners to learn about green transportation. Children will learn the differences between electric and gas powered vehicles. Compared to the United States where fossil fuel concerns are mainly focused on profits, China is providing […]

The post Chinese Kindergartners More Knowledgeable About Electric Cars appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Futuristic Solar Powered Bus Goes Over Traffic

Mila Luleva — Thu, 26 May 2016 14:20:50 +0000

Solar powered bus goes over traffic, not around it. Traffic congestion is one of the biggest problems of most cities. The consequences from this go way beyond people having to get up an hour earlier to make it to work in time. Pollution is the most dangerous of them all. Premature deaths, respiratory disease, asthma, and […]

The post Futuristic Solar Powered Bus Goes Over Traffic appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Electric Single Passenger Helicopter Shows Off at CES

Samantha Joe — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 17:40:28 +0000

You may be able to fly yourself somewhere soon. At the Consumer Electronics Show, Chinese drone manufacturer Ehang claimed to have built an electric single passenger helicopter that is self-piloting. Allegedly, a person would be able to travel 10 miles in it. It is supposedly capable of lifting off, flying, detecting obstacles, and landing safely, all […]

The post Electric Single Passenger Helicopter Shows Off at CES appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Chinese EV Start-ups Starting to Emerge

Samantha Joe — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 13:51:06 +0000

Chinese electric vehicle start-ups are looking to disrupt the market, and fast. Carmakers are surprisingly slow when it comes to electric cars. Whether it’s offering only one model, or producing hybrids, there is not much choice for a fully electric vehicle. In 2016, though, that could change, as a new wave of Chinese automakers are set […]

The post Chinese EV Start-ups Starting to Emerge appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Carbon Emissions from China Higher than Reported

Annika Tostengard — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 05:18:44 +0000

Recent reports that China’s carbon emissions from burning coal are declining may have been premature, according to new numbers released by the Chinese government. The numbers show that China has not reduced its emissions at all and is actually burning 17% more coal than what was previously reported. The New York Times writer who first reported news of the […]

The post Carbon Emissions from China Higher than Reported appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China’s Pollution Problem Got Better in 2015

Annika Tostengard — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 16:39:44 +0000

During the first half of 2015, the levels of two major air pollutants in China fell as the country worked to protect the environment despite their economy’s reliance on manufacturing. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide both greatly contribute to the pollution problem, and both can cause acid rain. The government has been issuing large fines […]

The post China’s Pollution Problem Got Better in 2015 appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Pollution Clears to Reveal a Beautiful Beijing

Annika Tostengard — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 17:34:12 +0000

Known for its ever-present dark cloud of pollution, Beijing got a rare glimpse of blue skies. The city temporarily banned five million cars from travelling the roads, and the results were beautiful. For residents of Beijing, checking the air quality index is just another part of the day. Usually, they find that the air they breathe […]

The post Pollution Clears to Reveal a Beautiful Beijing appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China Adds 7.7 GW of Solar Power, Says Internal Report

Annika Tostengard — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 07:16:31 +0000

When encouraging new solar projects, it’s important to promote quality over quantity. This distinction may become relevant to the debate soon, as China’s National Energy Administration released a report stating that the country has added 7.7 GW of solar power to their grid in the first six months of 2015. 6.69 GW comprised of utility-scale, […]

The post China Adds 7.7 GW of Solar Power, Says Internal Report appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

How the Chinese Tackle Air Pollution With Hydrogen Trains

Annika Tostengard — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 18:52:02 +0000

In China, commuters in Qingdao can now arrive to work on board a bright orange tram that runs entirely on hydrogen and emits only steam. As China’s smog grows more thick, leaders across the country are turning their attention to new green technology. Qingdao is not the only Chinese city with a hydrogen-powered tram system. […]

The post How the Chinese Tackle Air Pollution With Hydrogen Trains appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

IMF: Fossil Fuels Subsidized $5.3 trillion in 2015 Alone

Annika Tostengard — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 05:40:26 +0000

An estimate by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reveals that the true cost of fossil fuels is expected to total $5.3 trillion in subsidies in 2015. Broken down, the number becomes $10 million every minute(!!!), a shocking fact that has many concerned. The estimate is much higher than the number released by the IMF in […]

The post IMF: Fossil Fuels Subsidized $5.3 trillion in 2015 Alone appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

South-North Water Transfer Project in China

Anthony Petrolo — Sun, 31 May 2015 04:25:26 +0000

One of the fastest-growing developing mega-economies in the world is striking more environmental hurdles than expected. This time, it is in regards to water security, rather than atmospheric pollution. Some key environmental problems that are becoming more evident (or beginning to manifest) include soil degradation, over-extraction and pollution of (both surface and ground) water sources, […]

The post South-North Water Transfer Project in China appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China’s Green Kandi Machine Dispenses an Electric Car

Benji Jerew — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 15:48:55 +0000

The Kandi Technologies Group, in China, runs an electric car sharing service, and it refers to these giant edifices as Kandi Machines! A couple of years ago, when I covered the 2013 New York Auto Show, I referred to it as “The Green Candy Store,” even though the only electric car I got to ride […]

The post China’s Green Kandi Machine Dispenses an Electric Car appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Beijing to shut its last major coal plant down next year

Satya Sivani — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 05:32:10 +0000

Beijing, the capital of China is leading the country in a fight against pollution. Next year Beijing is going to close the last of its four major coal power plants. China, The world’s factory is facing a serious environmental threat due to pollution. It is now the world’s biggest emitter of green house gases. The environmental […]

The post Beijing to shut its last major coal plant down next year appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China Wind Power Growing Faster Than United States’

Benji Jerew — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 20:05:10 +0000

Covering renewable energy achievements, United States President Barack Obama noted that US wind power generation is number one in the world, but that’s not the whole story. True, wind power generation in the United States is the biggest in the world, just over 175 TWh (terawatt-hours), just ahead of China, which produced 169 TWh last […]

The post China Wind Power Growing Faster Than United States’ appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Dutch Designer Extracts Smog Particles, Turns Them into Jewelry

Mila Luleva — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:38:19 +0000

Air pollution in the Chinese capital of Beijing is becoming a major disaster. Cutting down emissions from traffic and industry is no longer sufficient, and thankfully governmental officials acknowledge it. They set tough targets, pushing people to come up with incredible innovations, just like turning deadly smog particles into jewelry. Some time ago we told […]

The post Dutch Designer Extracts Smog Particles, Turns Them into Jewelry appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Will We Ever Break Free From Fossil Fuels?

Benji Jerew — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 22:16:59 +0000

In spite of great advances in renewable energy utilization, will we ever break free from our addiction to fossil fuels? For example, in the last couple of years, solar power generation in the United States has actually started to surpass fossil fuel power, at least in terms of new generating capacity. Wind power in Spain […]

The post Will We Ever Break Free From Fossil Fuels? appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China Reopens Electric Vehicle Tax Incentives

Benji Jerew — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 17:01:53 +0000

To promote the adoption of electric vehicles and improve the air quality in China, the government has finally approved reopening electric vehicle tax incentives in the country, but only for Chinese vehicles. China’s unprecedented economic growth over the last decade has not been without its environmental problems, just one of which has to do with […]

The post China Reopens Electric Vehicle Tax Incentives appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Foxconn to Build Affordable Electric Vehicles in China

Benji Jerew — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 21:20:54 +0000

Tesla Motors isn’t the only tech company with an interest in electric vehicles, and will soon be joined, at least in China, by tech company Foxconn. Even if you don’t know Foxconn itself, you might know some of their products, as Foxconn is a major producer of electronic components for Microsoft, Sony, Amazon, and Apple. […]

The post Foxconn to Build Affordable Electric Vehicles in China appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China Removes Mountain Tops to Allow Urban Expansion, Poses Incredible Environmental Risks

Mila Luleva — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 17:33:40 +0000

Deforestation is a problem known for years. We all have heard or read at least one story of people across South America and Africa cutting trees without permission and control in order to turn the area into either agricultural land or a village, or simply use the timber. But if you think that this is the […]

The post China Removes Mountain Tops to Allow Urban Expansion, Poses Incredible Environmental Risks appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Air Quality in China – Government to Scrap 5.3 Million Cars

Benji Jerew — Fri, 30 May 2014 02:40:59 +0000

China is home to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and, much like other countries who developed before her, air quality is a serious problem. China’s economic growth hasn’t been without its growing pains. The need for power and transportation has been filled by quick and easy solutions, coal-fired power plants and millions of barely-functional […]

The post Air Quality in China – Government to Scrap 5.3 Million Cars appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Intense Cyclones Directly Caused by China Pollution

Leigh Hutchens — Thu, 15 May 2014 15:10:00 +0000

China is infamous for its staggering levels of air pollution. We’ve all seen the striking, and heartbreaking, photos of normal citizens strolling through parks or riding bikes while wearing surgical masks. It seemed like a different word… but what if it becomes the de facto for all countries. China is fighting to contain environmental catastrophe […]

The post Intense Cyclones Directly Caused by China Pollution appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Clearing the Air – Climate Change Mitigation

Benji Jerew — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 14:20:15 +0000

According to the Fifth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report, mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions has several side effects, one of which is improving air quality. For decades, under the Clean Air Act in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working hard to reduce emissions. For a […]

The post Clearing the Air – Climate Change Mitigation appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Plug-In Hybrid Audi TT Offroad Concept at Auto China 2014

Benji Jerew — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 16:24:41 +0000

It’s still only a concept car, but is the Audi TT Offroad Concept plug-in hybrid just smoke and mirrors? Imagine an Audi TT, jacked up to give it better ground clearance, and then adding an all-wheel drive two-motor plug-in hybrid powertrain. That’s what Audi is showing off at the 13th Beijing International Automobile Exhibition, Auto […]

The post Plug-In Hybrid Audi TT Offroad Concept at Auto China 2014 appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

BDNT DENZA Electric Vehicle Unveiled at Auto China 2014

Benji Jerew — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 13:52:09 +0000

A joint venture between German Daimler and Chinese BYD has finally shown its first fruits, the BDNT DENZA electric vehicle, just unveiled at the 13th Beijing International Automobile Exhibition. Perhaps better known as Auto China 2014, this auto show is becoming a big thing for the Chinese, the fastest-growing automobile market in the world. Practically […]

The post BDNT DENZA Electric Vehicle Unveiled at Auto China 2014 appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China’s Power Mix Will Be Dominated by Coal for Decades

Benji Jerew — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 16:24:23 +0000

China’s economic growth is very much at odds with her environmental problems. As the economy grows, so does need for power, two-thirds of which is generated by coal. Looking at the air in China’s great cities, such as Shanghai or Beijing, it’s quite obvious that a dark cloud hangs over the residents. Quite literally, in […]

The post China’s Power Mix Will Be Dominated by Coal for Decades appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Tesla Motors, Clearing the Air in China?

Benji Jerew — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 17:23:02 +0000

Moving Tesla Motors manufacturing to China could bring that price down, but the Chinese nouveau-riche love their import luxury cars. In fact, one Chinese investor recently ordered 100 Tesla Model S to be shipped, but not before being convertible-converted by Newport Convertible Engineering, adding between $29,900 and $49,900 to the price of each car. Tesla […]

The post Tesla Motors, Clearing the Air in China? appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Want the Audi A6 E-Tron PHEV? Move to China!

Benji Jerew — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 00:05:47 +0000

Ahead of the 13th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, Audi has let loose a few details of the upcoming Audi A6 E-tron, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The Audi A6 E-tron PHEV is a luxury mid-size sedan, sized between the A4 and A8, which was shown as a concept a couple years ago, and there’s […]

The post Want the Audi A6 E-Tron PHEV? Move to China! appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

One Hundred Tesla Model S Convertibles Going to China

Benji Jerew — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 16:44:04 +0000

I know what you’re thinking, and now that you’re back from checking TeslaMotors.com for a convertible version of the Tesla Model S, you’re absolutely right. Tesla Motors does not offer a Tesla Model S Convertible, at least not yet. For now, Tesla Motors is focused on getting the Tesla Model X into production, as well […]

The post One Hundred Tesla Model S Convertibles Going to China appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

“Graphite Rain” in China Linked to Lithium-Ion Battery Demand

Benji Jerew — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 15:13:13 +0000

Graphite is one of the main components in lithium-ion battery technology, which is found in everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. Unfortunately, shoddy graphite mining practices are exacerbating a big pollution problem. Think graphite, and what may come to mind is the graphite pencil (lead hasn’t been used in writing instruments for a few thousand […]

The post “Graphite Rain” in China Linked to Lithium-Ion Battery Demand appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Build Charging Stations and Electric Vehicles Will Come to Shanghai

Benji Jerew — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 13:45:30 +0000

By 2015, the city of Shanghai, China, expects to have some 10,000 “green cars” on the road, by which I’m guessing they’re referring to “electric vehicles,” judging by a recent announcement. This is a question that has been bandied about by electric vehicle proponents and opponents, the need for public-access electric-vehicle charging stations. So, which […]

The post Build Charging Stations and Electric Vehicles Will Come to Shanghai appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Tesla Motors’ Aggressive European Campaign

Benji Jerew — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 16:50:06 +0000

Tesla Motors has already proven to be a popular vehicle, both in the US and abroad, but Tesla is planning on even more aggressive measures to boost sales of the flagship Tesla Model S. For example, Tesla Motors has been selling well in Germany and Norway, where it has been the best-selling vehicle, of any […]

The post Tesla Motors’ Aggressive European Campaign appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China Combats Air Pollution by Building World’s Largest Smog-Research Facility

Mila Luleva — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 20:05:08 +0000

The news about the thick and highly toxic smog that remained over large part of China for a week and put millions of lives in danger, have undoubtedly reached everyone. An announcement made by the Chinese Academy of Sciences just a few days ago, however, might not have circulated the net as fast. A major […]

The post China Combats Air Pollution by Building World’s Largest Smog-Research Facility appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Tesla Motors Could Open Production Line in China

Benji Jerew — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 16:29:27 +0000

Tesla Motors, like any business, needs markets in which to sell its product, but if those markets are too far away, it could generate problems. For now, all of Tesla Motors‘ production is in the United States. Even in the States, there are some areas where it is difficult to buy a Tesla Model S, […]

The post Tesla Motors Could Open Production Line in China appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Tesla Motors’ Big Plans in China in 2014

Benji Jerew — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 15:29:21 +0000

The automobile sector in China is growing, and the nouveau riche in China are looking for premium vehicles, such as those offered by Tesla Motors, to set themselves apart from the crowd. In spite of the need for clean transportation in China, however, Tesla Motors‘ sales in China will most likely not be driven by […]

The post Tesla Motors’ Big Plans in China in 2014 appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Fake Sunrise is Beijing’s Real Solution to Record Pollution Levels

Leigh Hutchens — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 20:09:45 +0000

In an incredibly tragic move by one of the most polluted cities in the world, Beijing has taken to using giant video screens in Tiananmen Square to project images of beautiful sunrises and blue skies since none can actually be seen amid the thick grey smog in the city. The severe smog this week is […]

The post Fake Sunrise is Beijing’s Real Solution to Record Pollution Levels appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Why Smog IS Good For The Chinese Nation: Reporter Gives Top 5 Reasons

Mila Luleva — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 20:07:51 +0000

The thick smog in China has been on the news for quite some time now. The incredible number of lives that have been affected by the toxic fumes in urban areas across the country have increased dramatically and it seems not much is being done to tackle the issue. The severity of the disaster is […]

The post Why Smog IS Good For The Chinese Nation: Reporter Gives Top 5 Reasons appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Beijing Destroying 300 Barbecues to Reduce Pollution

Leigh Hutchens — Thu, 28 Nov 2013 05:44:51 +0000

The Beijing Times reported that the PM 2.5 levels around street barbecues in Beijing is close to thousand times higher than the readings taken before the charcoal starts to burn. In reaction to this news, Beijing city officials have destroyed over 300 outdoor eateries that use grills as part of a three month campaign to […]

The post Beijing Destroying 300 Barbecues to Reduce Pollution appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

IEA: China to Produce More Clean Energy Than U.S., EU and Japan, Combined

Mila Luleva — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 20:19:20 +0000

According to the International Energy Agency, the number of newly constructed power plants that produce renewable energy in China, will be higher than the combined number for Europe, the U.S. and Japan by 2035. In their annual report named World Energy Outlook, IEA point out that wind, solar, biomass and hydropower will produce equal amount […]

The post IEA: China to Produce More Clean Energy Than U.S., EU and Japan, Combined appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China’s Air Pollution Results in Youngest Lung Cancer Patient, Just Eight Years Old

Benji Jerew — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 12:45:06 +0000

Thanks to China’s growth-at-all-costs economic expansion policy, one of those costs has been manifested in worsening air pollution. According to some studies, up to 40% of premature deaths linked to air pollution are occurring in China highlighting an even greater human cost, especially infants and elderly, whose immune systems can’t handle the toxins in the […]

The post China’s Air Pollution Results in Youngest Lung Cancer Patient, Just Eight Years Old appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China Is Playing a Dangerous Game With Air Pollution

Leigh Hutchens — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 02:41:03 +0000

China’s pollution problem has been top news lately, mainly because the pollution is so dense that you can see if from space. That’s right, from space. China’s problems are drastic, but they are not as unique as people think they are. In fact, most people forget about the major problems London had in the 1950s. […]

The post China Is Playing a Dangerous Game With Air Pollution appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

After Air Pollution Levels Reach Critical Mass, China Finally Agrees to Study the Health Consequences

Leigh Hutchens — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 02:12:03 +0000

Over the next five years, China’s Health Ministry plans to create a national network to monitor the long-term impact of chronic air pollution on human health. This is big news from a country known for record-breaking levels of air pollution. China’s future network will gather data on particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers, […]

The post After Air Pollution Levels Reach Critical Mass, China Finally Agrees to Study the Health Consequences appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

A123 Systems, Advanced Lithium-Ion Battery Technology Company Gets New CEO

Benji Jerew — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 21:51:01 +0000

In October 2012, A123 Systems filed for bankruptcy, citing poor sales of electric and extended range electric vehicles, its prime target market. Now, it’s time to switch targets, if not technologically speaking, then regionally. A123 Systems, an advanced-technology battery developer, was simply ahead of its time, before the electric-vehicle boom, as well as too specialized, […]

The post A123 Systems, Advanced Lithium-Ion Battery Technology Company Gets New CEO appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Beijing Fights Air Pollution by Shutting Down Airports and Car Traffic

Benji Jerew — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 18:02:38 +0000

China’s economic growth “at any cost” has indeed some with a cost, air pollution on a grand scale and, in her biggest cities, the premature deaths of hundreds. The increased number of vehicles and coal-fired industry and power plants, combined with weather conditions and geological features, has led to astonishing levels of air pollution in […]

The post Beijing Fights Air Pollution by Shutting Down Airports and Car Traffic appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China’s Plans to Build Environmentally-Damaging Coal-Powered Natural Gas Plants

Adele Hall — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 04:02:33 +0000

China is currently in the process of planning synthetic natural gas plants, which are powered by coal. Though this could be good for China’s energy security, the results could be environmentally devastating. A new study by Researchers from Duke University have determined this process would produce seven times the greenhouse gas emissions, consume 100 times […]

The post China’s Plans to Build Environmentally-Damaging Coal-Powered Natural Gas Plants appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China Tackling Air Pollution, But Faces Big Challenges

Benji Jerew — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 19:20:18 +0000

China’s fast economic growth has been backed up by fast and dirty coal power plants to meet new energy requirements of the rapidly expanding industrial and commercial sectors. The resulting air pollution has clouded the skies over many Chinese cities. Aside from the greenhouse gas emissions that we already know are contributing to climate change, […]

The post China Tackling Air Pollution, But Faces Big Challenges appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Tesla Motors Going to China, Gamble or Sure Bet?

Benji Jerew — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 15:16:10 +0000

Tesla Motors is already showing great success here in the United States, and has just started making deliveries in the European Union. Does Tesla Motors have a future in China? China is currently the world’s fastest-growing economy, and has a number of things going for it that could make it the perfect market for the […]

The post Tesla Motors Going to China, Gamble or Sure Bet? appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Extreme China: Capital Punishment for Environmental Damage?

Benji Jerew — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 17:55:14 +0000

China’s economic growth could be described as quick and dirty. China’s growth has been great for the economy, but not so much for the environment. The strategy in the past could be summed up as “growth at all costs,” but now China is realizing the true cost to the environment and to its people. Air […]

The post Extreme China: Capital Punishment for Environmental Damage? appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China and US Agree to Phase Out Hydrofluorocarbons [HFC]

Benji Jerew — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:20:51 +0000

Hydrofluorocarbons [HFC] have proved to be an excellent replacement for chlorofluorocarbons [CFC], which have been phased out of production for environmental reasons. Chlorofluorocarbons originally were very popular used as propellant in aerosol spray cans and as a refrigerant gas in both stationary and mobile refrigeration units. In the automobile segment, CFCs such as R-12 were […]

The post China and US Agree to Phase Out Hydrofluorocarbons [HFC] appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Renewable Energy Production on the Downswing in Europe

Leigh Hutchens — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 03:17:13 +0000

European energy policy is in dire straits. The fact that Spain is in the process of cutting subsidies for renewable energy production points to the slow decline of green initiatives in Europe. The European solar industry grew too big too quickly thanks to a plethora of start-up grants and subsidies during the 2000s. EU energy […]

The post Renewable Energy Production on the Downswing in Europe appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China Fights Back EU’s Taxes on Solar Panels by Putting Tax on Wine

Mila Luleva — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 15:43:17 +0000

The European Commission confirmed their decision to impose duties on imports of solar panels from China, as of June, 6th. In return, the Chinese government announced their decision to launch an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy inquiry into European wine sales. The initial rate of 47% on imported solar panels was reduced down to 11.8%, as some […]

The post China Fights Back EU’s Taxes on Solar Panels by Putting Tax on Wine appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China’s Turbocharged Future Will Reduce Vehicle Emissions

Benji Jerew — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:42:48 +0000

The main way to reduce vehicle emissions is to reduce fuel consumption. Typically, reducing fuel consumption requires reducing engine size and power, which isn’t very attractive to buyers. Admittedly, it is difficult to reduce engine size without impacting power too much. China needs to reduce vehicle emissions in a big way however, and automakers are […]

The post China’s Turbocharged Future Will Reduce Vehicle Emissions appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Toyota Yueija: China’s Newest Hybrid Vehicle That Won’t Be Called “Prius”

Benji Jerew — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:59:36 +0000

China is the world’s fastest-growing automobile market, and Toyota’s new hybrid is aiming right for the hearts of younger buyers. The new elite in China, young buyers in their late 20s to early 30s, probably won’t find the decidedly placid Toyota Prius to their liking. On the other hand, something with world-class hybrid vehicle technology, […]

The post Toyota Yueija: China’s Newest Hybrid Vehicle That Won’t Be Called “Prius” appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China’s BYD Contemplates a Green Rebirth

Leigh Hutchens — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:10:28 +0000

As part of a reinvention plan, BYD Co, a large Chinese brand with Warren Buffet as an investor, might shift its focus from conventional automobiles to new energy battery models within two years. At one point, BYD had dreams of being a competitor of Toyota, but after shares have tumbled by 75% since late-2009, the […]

The post China’s BYD Contemplates a Green Rebirth appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

BMW to Build Zinoro Electric Vehicles in China

Benji Jerew — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:22:24 +0000

BMW is partnering with Chinese company Brilliance to manufacture and sell electric vehicles in China under a new brand, Zinoro. The world’s fastest growing car market is in China, which makes manufacturing and selling vehicles there a good prospect. BMW is China’s 2nd-biggest luxury auto manufacturer, the plant in Shenyag making the 3- and 5-Series […]

The post BMW to Build Zinoro Electric Vehicles in China appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Air Pollution Killing Children and Elderly in China

Leigh Hutchens — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 03:34:43 +0000

According to the Health Effects Institute (HEI), 40% of premature deaths linked to air pollution across the world occurred in China. In China, particulate matter is the fourth leading cause of death. It is just behind high blood pressure, smoking, and dietary risks. Experts posit that without major changes, by 2050, air pollution will be […]

The post Air Pollution Killing Children and Elderly in China appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Rare-Earth Metals Not So Rare in Mud off the Coast of Japan, Tokyo University

Benji Jerew — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:36:38 +0000

China pretty much has a chokehold on the market for rare-earth metals, but a recent discovery off the coast of Japan could offer some competition. Because of their unique chemical properties, rare-earth metals are important in the production of electronics and even hybrid and electric vehicles. Rare-earth metals are found around the world, but they […]

The post Rare-Earth Metals Not So Rare in Mud off the Coast of Japan, Tokyo University appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Electric Vehicle Incentives to Resume in China by May

Benji Jerew — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 23:28:38 +0000

China expects to resume electric vehicle incentives sometime in the next couple of months, which will help defray the extra cost of buying more expensive electric vehicles. The last series of Chinese electric vehicle incentives ran from 2010 through 2012. Anyone who wanted to buy and electric vehicle after December 31, 2012 had to pay […]

The post Electric Vehicle Incentives to Resume in China by May appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

New Chinese Fuel Economy Regulations Announced, Both Good and Bad

Benji Jerew — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:09:56 +0000

The world’s biggest automobile market is suffering financially, and new Chinese fuel economy regulations could be both good and bad. The small-car market in China really isn’t all that bad regarding fuel efficiency, and averaged 30mpg in 2009. By comparison, the US only just reached an all-time high in fuel economy, 23.8mpg in 2012. Much […]

The post New Chinese Fuel Economy Regulations Announced, Both Good and Bad appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China Facing Uphill Battle in Reducing CO2 Emissions

Leigh Hutchens — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 05:22:50 +0000

Recently, China Dialogue, an independent dual-language blog with offices in San Francisco, London, and Beijing , conducted an interview with Zou Ji, the deputy director of China’s National Center for Climate Change Strategy. According to Zou Ji, China has some advantages to cutting CO2 emissions. The global financial crisis which has led to adjustments in […]

The post China Facing Uphill Battle in Reducing CO2 Emissions appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China Wind Power Generation Bigger Than Nuclear

Leigh Hutchens — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 08:35:34 +0000

Nuclear power is no longer the top energy source in China. Wind power has overtaken nuclear power, and in 2012, wind farms generated 2% more electricity than nuclear power plants. This gap will only widen in the years to come. China was in the throes of growing its nuclear energy program when the Fukushima disaster […]

The post China Wind Power Generation Bigger Than Nuclear appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Low-Carbon Hybrid Systems Key to China’s Future Energy Development

Mila Luleva — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 18:35:56 +0000

In order to optimize any future energy development, China should integrate nuclear or renewable energy so that they bring down to a minimum the use of high-carbon energy resources. A recent study published in the first issue for the year of the journal Scientic Sinica Chemica, presents a low-carbon hybrid energy system, which provides a […]

The post Low-Carbon Hybrid Systems Key to China’s Future Energy Development appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China to Limit Fuel Sulfur Pollution by 2017

Ovidiu Sandru — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:16:27 +0000

China’s feedback mechanism started doing its job this week, as their government has issued a timetable for oil companies to clean up their fuel so it becomes less polluting. However, the law will only be enforced four years from now, despite the public criticism or the smog that’s currently covering Beijing. The new standards would […]

The post China to Limit Fuel Sulfur Pollution by 2017 appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China’s Wind Energy Investments at an All-Time High

Leigh Hutchens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 01:13:02 +0000

In China, wind energy is quickly overtaking coal and hydro power to become a major source of electricity. In fact, wind energy in China now accounts for 5.3 per cent of the country’s generating capacity and supplies about 2% of its electricity. However, China has such a major air pollution issue that 2% wind energy […]

The post China’s Wind Energy Investments at an All-Time High appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China Faces Uphill Battle in Efforts to Combat Air Pollution

Leigh Hutchens — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 08:35:57 +0000

China has an uphill battle ahead in its efforts to curb the country’s very serious air pollution problem. 2012 saw a drop in the emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, chemical oxygen, and ammonia nitrogen, and 2013 is projected to have an even greater drop. However, China is plagued by such severe air pollution that […]

The post China Faces Uphill Battle in Efforts to Combat Air Pollution appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

In Unprecedented Move, Chinese Media Asks Communist Government to Take Action on Air Pollution

Leigh Hutchens — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 08:03:22 +0000

In an unprecedented move, the Chinese media, not an outlet known to criticize the controlling Communist Party, called on the government to take drastic measures to combat the massive amount of air pollution that is plaguing the country. Over the weekend, Beijing air quality was far above hazardous levels. The levels reached 755 on an […]

The post In Unprecedented Move, Chinese Media Asks Communist Government to Take Action on Air Pollution appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China on Track for Massive Carbon Reductions by 2015

Leigh Hutchens — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 08:37:11 +0000

China appears to be on track for cutting its carbon intensity by 17% between 2011 and 2015. During 2012, China’s carbon emissions relative to output fell by more than 3.5%, beating the country’s average annual target. In order to achieve the 17% carbon intensity reduction, China must maintain an annual average of 3.5% reduction in […]

The post China on Track for Massive Carbon Reductions by 2015 appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China’s Energy Revolution Officially Announced by President Hu Jintao

Benji Jerew — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:55:46 +0000

When most countries hit their industrial revolutions, there are usually no second thoughts about pollution, including greenhouse gases [GHG]. China, the second-biggest economy on the in the world and largest GHG emitter, was no different, and now, as manufacturing is taking off and its market is picking up, regulators are planning to clamp down on […]

The post China’s Energy Revolution Officially Announced by President Hu Jintao appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Chinese Grid Operators to Raise Prices, Target “Irresponsible” Consumers

Mike Sandru — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:41:45 +0000

It’s only logic, right: you consume more, you pay more! In China however, you pay even more than the normal “more”: starting this July, more-than-average electricity consumers will be paying up to 0.30 yuan ($0.05) more per kilowatt hour. The National Development and Reform Commission is planning to downsize energy waste by hitting irresponsible consumers […]

The post Chinese Grid Operators to Raise Prices, Target “Irresponsible” Consumers appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

China’s Energy Data Reporting Flawed, Emissions Much Higher Than Previously Estimated

Guest Contributor — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 20:19:36 +0000

A new analysis reports that China’s carbon emissions could be 20% higher than earlier expectations, which suggest that there is a very high rate of climate change due to this. As it emerges as one of the newest superpower countries in the world, China is now the world’s top contributor of greenhouse gases, which triggers […]

The post China’s Energy Data Reporting Flawed, Emissions Much Higher Than Previously Estimated appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Report Suggests 2009 Financial Crisis Didn't Lower Pollution

Ovidiu Sandru — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:36:17 +0000

A paper published recently in Nature Climate Change reveals that the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) has not yielded a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, as did the other crises, like the oil-related ones in 1973 and 1979. Instead, the emissions kept growing because of developing countries like China and India, on whom the crisis did […]

The post Report Suggests 2009 Financial Crisis Didn't Lower Pollution appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Battery-Swapping Project Better Place Signs Important Deal With Chinese Utility

Ovidiu Sandru — Wed, 04 May 2011 12:34:34 +0000

Besides being a place where you can manufacture things cheap, no matter what the processes' cabon dioxide emissions are, China is one of the most advanced countries when it comes to electric cars and electrification, in general. Project Better Place, an Israel-based company aiming at developing more efficient charging infrastructures has just signed an agreement with one of the largest Chinese utilities.

The post Battery-Swapping Project Better Place Signs Important Deal With Chinese Utility appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

US Energy Secretary Announces Green Technology Partnership With China

Ovidiu Sandru — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:29:06 +0000

It was about time the US and China collaborated on anything but pollution... the reduction of pollution. The scientific partnership announcement has been made by the US Energy Secretary Steven Chu on Wednesday, launching one of the largest collaborations of this kind in the world.

The post US Energy Secretary Announces Green Technology Partnership With China appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

Waste From Beer Factories Turned into Energy

Cristi — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:05:13 +0000

Wolfgang Bengel and his partners have found a way to efficiently recycle the waste grains and wastewater and use them to fuel the beer factories.

The post Waste From Beer Factories Turned into Energy appeared first on The Green Optimistic.

65% More Biofuel From Chinese Rice Straw

Ovidiu Sandru — Sat, 31 May 2008 05:32:48 +0000

A team of chinese researchers discovered a way to a new biofuel. Their new study, scheduled for the July 16 issue of ACS' bimonthly journal Energy & Fuels, describes a way to boost production of biofuel from rice straw by almost 65 percent.

The post 65% More Biofuel From Chinese Rice Straw appeared first on The Green Optimistic.