From The China Post:
The buzzword of this new century is “global warming,” caused by greenhouse gases. The United Nations has just released a study by scientists on this hot-button issue, confirming that global warming is a fact. Emissions of carbon dioxide from power plants, factories and automobiles are the culprits of the greenhouse effect which causes atmospheric temperatures to rise.
Without the cooperation of the world’s largest polluter, it is almost impossible for the Kyoto Protocol to work. What is worse, the world’s largest developing country, mainland China, is also reluctant to embrace the protocol, for the same reason. Besides, as a developing country, mainland China is exempted from the protocol.
But there is growing awareness in mainland China about the importance of environmental protection. Premier Wen Jiabao and other high-ranking mainland officials recently indicated their willingness to voluntarily reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Perhaps they are not just paying lip service to the issue.[Full Text]