U.S. Academic: Significant Progress in China's Climate Change Efforts
U.S. scholar examines China's substantial advancements in addressing climate change.
TroibNews 
China is making significant progress in its efforts to combat climate change by enhancing the efficiency of industrial production and transportation, as well as by reducing carbon emissions, according to Clifford Cobb, a prominent U.S. scholar specializing in sustainable development.
Cobb acknowledged China’s dedicated initiatives in creating an ecological civilization and advancing green development, which have gained international recognition.
As the director of the U.S. Institute for Postmodern Development of China, Cobb emphasized China's role as a leader in alternative energy production, remarking that "these features of China's formation of an ecological civilization are well known in other countries."
He also lauded the nation’s rural development strategies, which aim to mitigate environmental degradation while lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Cobb, an ecological economist, pointed to the successful conservation efforts on the Loess Plateau in north-central China as a strong example. He stated, "The conservation measures in the Loess Plateau have provided techniques that can be used globally to halt desertification and improve soils in arid regions around the world."
Additionally, he praised the recent "Black Soil Protection" initiative that focuses on rehabilitating degraded soils and enhancing their capacity to store carbon.
"These projects can serve as demonstration models for farmers in South Asia, West Asia, Africa, and South America," Cobb remarked.
Cobb noted that one of the most remarkable features of China’s green development is its alignment with the Chinese leader’s "two mountains" theory. He explained, "The most impressive feature of this concept is that it operates on the principle that economic development does not necessarily mean more pollution."
The "two mountains" concept—referring to green mountains and clear waters as valuable assets—has spurred many Chinese cities and villages to seek sustainable growth by prioritizing environmental protection and developing green industries.
"With ingenuity and the right orientation, nations can learn how green mountains can be gold mountains that yield both ecological and economic benefits," Cobb added.
He expressed hope that global leaders could draw lessons from China’s example of integrating economic development with environmental stewardship.
Cobb highlighted that China is in the process of formulating a theory of ecological civilization, a groundbreaking idea that he believes will require input from every continent.
He also anticipates traveling to China to witness the nation’s rural renewal and soil regeneration projects directly.
Cobb is particularly eager to learn about efforts in northern China, areas vulnerable to desertification. "I want to learn what can be done to stop the encroachment of deserts into farmland as global temperatures rise," he said.
As China progresses in its ecological civilization journey, Cobb believes its approach could offer essential insights for the world on achieving a balance between development and environmental sustainability.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
Cobb acknowledged China’s dedicated initiatives in creating an ecological civilization and advancing green development, which have gained international recognition.
As the director of the U.S. Institute for Postmodern Development of China, Cobb emphasized China's role as a leader in alternative energy production, remarking that "these features of China's formation of an ecological civilization are well known in other countries."
He also lauded the nation’s rural development strategies, which aim to mitigate environmental degradation while lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Cobb, an ecological economist, pointed to the successful conservation efforts on the Loess Plateau in north-central China as a strong example. He stated, "The conservation measures in the Loess Plateau have provided techniques that can be used globally to halt desertification and improve soils in arid regions around the world."
Additionally, he praised the recent "Black Soil Protection" initiative that focuses on rehabilitating degraded soils and enhancing their capacity to store carbon.
"These projects can serve as demonstration models for farmers in South Asia, West Asia, Africa, and South America," Cobb remarked.
Cobb noted that one of the most remarkable features of China’s green development is its alignment with the Chinese leader’s "two mountains" theory. He explained, "The most impressive feature of this concept is that it operates on the principle that economic development does not necessarily mean more pollution."
The "two mountains" concept—referring to green mountains and clear waters as valuable assets—has spurred many Chinese cities and villages to seek sustainable growth by prioritizing environmental protection and developing green industries.
"With ingenuity and the right orientation, nations can learn how green mountains can be gold mountains that yield both ecological and economic benefits," Cobb added.
He expressed hope that global leaders could draw lessons from China’s example of integrating economic development with environmental stewardship.
Cobb highlighted that China is in the process of formulating a theory of ecological civilization, a groundbreaking idea that he believes will require input from every continent.
He also anticipates traveling to China to witness the nation’s rural renewal and soil regeneration projects directly.
Cobb is particularly eager to learn about efforts in northern China, areas vulnerable to desertification. "I want to learn what can be done to stop the encroachment of deserts into farmland as global temperatures rise," he said.
As China progresses in its ecological civilization journey, Cobb believes its approach could offer essential insights for the world on achieving a balance between development and environmental sustainability.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
