China's Obsession for Economical Growth Slows Down Green Expansion

China is perhaps one of the most controversial players on the market of energy. It recorded the fastest, most visible progress in renewables' expansion and yet it is associated with a dangerous level of air pollution, triggered by intensive coal-burning operations.

If the nation overcomes its threats, the industry of alternative sources of power would create more than 9 million jobs, according to the Guardian.

China proves it is capable of exceeding America's efforts of developing and implementing solar power. According to a new report, issued by the China Council of International Co-operation on Environment and Development, while exploiting a more sustainable path, hi-tech companies will be able to replace the polluting major players.

At the same time, authorities will focus on preserving energy and protecting the environment. Experts forecast major changes. Abandoning the fossil fuel sector implies that at least 950,000 jobs will be lost.

Despite this fact, experts state that the expansion of alternative sources of energy will hire more people within the next 10 years, creating approximately 10.6 million jobs. Such an achievement will boost the Chinese economy by 8 trillion yuan ($1.258 trillion/ €0.929 trillion).

Even if leading figures in the United Nations and scientists from China reveal these amazing numbers, progress is not easily obtained. First of all, the country has to deal with alarming amounts of toxic waste that keep growing every year.

Second, China has to respond to ecological degradation and figure out how to handle water shortages. Its investments in renewables are fading out while compared with the price it has to pay to minimize the effect of three decades of increased dirty coal exploitation upon the health of its citizens.

The country did everything in its power to reach an astonishing economic growth and now it has to pay the price for its actions. Unfortunately, such costs draw the industry of alternative power a few steps back.

At this point in time, the idea of introducing a carbon tax is very popular, based on the idea that it would preserve the already scarce resources and make people have more confidence in the progress of renewables.