China not yet ready to give up chance of cars and Chanel

• Source: Global Times
• [23:28 December 09 2009]
• Comments

What is a luxury today can be a necessity tomorrow. From air conditioners and televisions to cars and fridges, the consumption model of wealthy people and developed countries spurs on the rest of the world.

It is one thing to develop a series of emission reduction plans, but it is another thing to change lifestyle.

Can the rich set a good example? Can they give up luxury mansions and cars?

In spite of their loud calls for emission reduction, people in Europe and the US would definitely begin complaining if they were told to do so.

Is it feasible to ask the poor to achieve better energy-saving? The answer may be yes, but it cannot solve any problems. People in developing countries are not able to consume too much. Even the energy saved by one hundred or one thousand of the poor cannot be compared with the energy consumed by even one rich individual.

If we use the same energy standards for both the rich and the poor, or we make the poor save more energy, or stop them to drive, the final result may be only that the rich can continue to enjoy their existing lifestyle.

To achieve emission reductions and reverse global warming, there are two options left: Either to change our current consumption-driven lifestyle or to find a way to both satisfy consumption and achieve emission reduction.

This is much more di£ cult than the negotiation of climate issues. Will the Copenhagen event lead to anything? Are governments and people worldwide really ready to change?

The gap between the rich and the poor, between those who are consuming and those who want to consume, remains the most vital issue.

The author is a senior editor with the People's Daily. dinggang@globaltimes. com. cn