Christina Larson’s Posts

• How 'bout investing in Chinese coal?

  Maybe get filthy rich 2

  Posted 1 year, 12 months ago

  Now that the U.S. housing market has cooled off, American investors are looking to the Chinese coal industry. Another risky proposition, but for different reasons.

  As China's appetite for coal is booming, American investors and businesses are cashing in.
  
  American pension and mutual fund money is being invested in the Chinese coal industry ...
  
  "In general, they're doing a very smart thing," said Mike Tian, an analyst with independent investment research company Morningstar. "That's where the money is."

• Beijing Dispatch: China's carbon harbingers

  Plans for reducing emissions in China 7

  Posted 1 year, 12 months ago

  David linked to the Reuters report about China's refusal to accept binding emissions caps in any international agreement. On the topic of China and climate change, last week I got some face time with the head of the World Bank's energy unit in Beijing, Dr. Zhao. Too much for one blog post, but here are some highlights:

  According to his research, the World Bank's go-to guy on these matters believes: "It will be difficult or even impossible for China to reduce CO2 emissions in absolute terms." Depressing conclusion. As he saw it, "The question now is, what can be… Read More

• Beijing Dispatch: Olympic preview?

  Beijing temporarily clears the air 19

  Posted 1 year, 12 months ago

  I arrived in Beijing in late October, in time for the last days of the Communist Party's 17th National Congress. That's the top political conference that takes place once every five years, and the city was swarming with national and international visitors and press.

  That day there were blue skies in Beijing. No kidding. The streets were swept clean, the sidewalk vendors gone, the DVD hawkers on holiday. There were many more police on the street, fewer cars. The sunset looked oily, a slick translucent glow to the clouds -- but the last time I visited Beijing in April, I… Read More

• Why can't Detroit take the same approach?

  Boeing's new Dreamliner plane boasts increased fuel efficiency 11

  Posted 2 years, 3 months ago

  A few years ago, Boeing was struggling. Sales were slipping, financial forecasts grim. Meanwhile Airbus, a foreign competitor, passed the former champ in total sales. Now the tables are turned. There are several reasons for the stellar advance sales of Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner, but I can't help but point out one:

  After years of research into lightweight carbon-fiber, which now replaces heavier aluminum for the jet's fuselage and wings, the Dreamliner can sail with an estimated 20-30 percent less fuel per passenger. What's the company's reasoning behind increasing fuel efficiency? It's better for business, of course.

• Attention toddler shoppers

  A short video clip introducing CFLs to kids 0

  Posted 2 years, 4 months ago

  You can watch Disney and the Department of Energy's co-produced energy-efficiency PSA here. It's half an ad for Ratatouille, half a push for compact fluorescent lightbulbs.

  Maybe the marketing theory is, "Hook 'em while they're young." Works for soft drinks and breakfast cereals. Perhaps it will work for Energy Star, too.

All Posts

Christina Larson’s Recent Comments

• Click here to view comment in original post

  Close Read

  
  Wait, before we smile too soon: The article didn't announce any action by the Chinese government, but rather the "forecast" of a Chinese environmentalist. That's a different category of "news." The Independent's original headline is misleading.

  But no doubt about it, the whole world is calling for the U.S. to show more leadership on global warming.
   

  Christina Larson

  On China is prepared to make a climate deal posted 1 year, 12 months ago 3 Responses

• Click here to view comment in original post

  Patrick,

  I'm actually working now on a series of profiles of Chinese environmentalists, trying to bring their voices into the conversation. (That's why I was in Beijing.)  Of course, they have different viewpoints. But the common strand is that the Chinese government has passed some important recent laws that, in theory, allow greater space for public participation on environmental protection -- the Environmental Impact Assessment law, etc. But these laws aren't always well-enforced. So almost all the Chinese environmentalists I spoke mentioned both things they would give the government credit for, and their continuing frustrations. Within China, there are both "good guys" and "bad guys" on environmental issues. "China" is just a country. However, that's what fits in the headlines.

  Christina Larson

  On Beijing temporarily clears the air posted 1 year, 12 months ago 19 Responses

• Click here to view comment in original post

  Reply to Joujou

  Hi Joujou,

  Thanks for your feedback. If you look at my comments, I agree with the point that "Beijing is trying to come to grips with the number of new cars entering the system each day." As I said, I spoke to Chinese officials charged with doing exactly that. I'm not sure what article you're referring to, but in nearly everything I've written about China's environment, I made a special point to give China's leaders their due in this regard. Including this blog post. Trying isn't always the same as suceeding, but no doubt some efforts are being made, at least in Beijing.

  On some fronts progress has been made, but there are still a lot of hazy days. That's not meant as an accusation, but a simple observation. The city faces tough choices, especially given its unlucky geography (location in a basin) and rapidly expanding population.

  I stand by the statement that Beijing has, now and in the past, shown an uncanny ability to clean up ahead of major national and international events. I'm talking about air quality, as well as street venders, cigarette butts on sidewalks, etc. People who have lived in Beijing for decades have many stories about this.

  I don't think we disagree on any fundamental points.

  One thing I've realized, however, is that many folks are so by now so accustomed to dialogues about China being quite polarized -- either strongly condemning or urgently defending the country -- that even observations that aren't meant to do either are often taken to mean one thing or another. As for me: after talking to dozens of Chinese officials, environmentalists, and citizens, in several Chinese cities, my own viewpoint is somewhere in the middle.

  Christina Larson

  On Beijing temporarily clears the air posted 1 year, 12 months ago 19 Responses

• Click here to view comment in original post

  Reply to Patrick

  Patrick,

  Hi. Thanks for your comments. I was commenting on what a difference there is between hazy days and blue skies days in Beijing, not purporting to many any statement about what it is "like all the time." And I wanted to pay your city a compliment for how lovely it is when the sky is clear and the weather nice.

  While in Beijing, which I've visited in five months this year, I've seen a range of conditions and also spoken to many longtime residents about the air quality. I've heard that there has been a noticable improvement since several of the large factories were moved outside the city, but also that the air quality has again been getting worse as the number of cars on the roads multiply. The Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau confirmed this as well.

  I also heard, from both experts and longtime residents, that the air quality improves dramatically during the two "Golden Week" shopping holidays (when factories close and there's less traffic on the roads) and around major events, such as the Party Congress. Indeed, I experienced a difference between the days of the conference and the days following. This is not to say that there aren't other fine days in Beijing, such as the days in August you mentioned, when wind direction and other factors help to bring bluer skies. As you mention, the city's location in a basin is an obstacle that "helps keep pollution trapped a lot of the time."

  Beijing is a fascinating historic city that you have a right to be proud of, and I certainly don't mean to imply otherwise.

  Christina Larson

  On Beijing temporarily clears the air posted 1 year, 12 months ago 19 Responses

• Click here to view comment in original post

  Not alone

  NoOlympics: Yep, it's bad. Promise you'll hear more on this.

  I met a woman who used to be in Hong Kong legislature who now heads nonprofit there that works on green issues: Christine Loh. You may have helpful information for each other?
  http://www.civic-exchange.org/index.php?cat=43
  

  Christina Larson

  On It's about more than money posted 2 years, 4 months ago 12 Responses