US, China Agree To Accelerate Wind, Solar Power Growth

China and the US have agreed to push for the use of more renewable energy sources in their countries in an effort to limit global warming. They are our planet’s two largest polluters. The agreement came ahead of a meeting between the world leaders on Wednesday. 

Both countries said they would try to triple the use of renewable energy worldwide by 2030. Solar and wind power are two of the most common sources of renewables. Pushing the plan forward by that much is an effort to speed up the move away from "coal, oil, and gas,” the agreement stated.    

On Wednesday, President Biden and China’s Xi Jinping had their first face-to-face chat in a year. It came at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. 

China did not pledge to reduce its fossil fuel use, though. Perhaps of greatest concern is its use of coal. World leaders have been pushing China to stop building new coal plants. That has not worked. 

Yet, China’s agreement to push forward with wind and solar power is seen as a good sign. It shows China is willing to work toward addressing climate change.      

The agreement “sends a strong signal to other countries," David Sandalow told The New York Times. He's an expert on global energy policy.  The signal is that "differences can be overcome."

Beyond climate, other thorny issues were on the table for Biden and Xi. One issue is China’s tense relationship with neighbor Taiwan. Another issue is Russia’s war with Ukraine. And yet another is how to contain the war between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East.    

Reflect: What are some ways leaders from different countries can collaborate to make the world a better place for everyone?