When the starter’s gun sounded for the 34th annual Beijing International Marathon on Sunday, air pollution measured 20 times worse than what the World Health O

China and other large, carbon-emitting nations were absent at the UN Climate Summit in New York, signaling contravention with the global community’s call to develop cleaner energy sources to combat climate change. However, China is investing in alternative energy, and technology cooperation with the US may key.

Responding to a report by the Nikkei on China’s environmental pollution, Feng Zhaokui acknowledges China’s struggle with the environment and addresses how ecological and environmental issues are not just a problem for China, but a problem for the entire world.

While China’s National Energy Administration recently revised its fuel-switching agenda, Michal Meidan points out that this policy alteration is not a sign that the government’s commitment to shale is wavering. Instead, the adoption of a more realistic target provides more stability for the industry and bolsters the future of natural gas in China.

Whenever U.S. and Chinese government officials meet to discuss opportunities for cooperation on energy and climate change, those discussions often boil down to questions about timing, at least from the U.S. perspective.

Due to China’s rapid economic growth, the country is now incurring the hazardous effects of its accruing environmental damage. China’s environmental problems are exacerbated by global demand. The U.S. and China can attain mutual benefits by collaboratively cleaning up China’s eco-system. China should also capitalize on innovative green technologies to develop the interior and the west of the country.

Government has an essential role to play in curbing pollution in China, however ordinary citizens can also play a role in reducing energy consumption, writes Xiong Lei.

As climate change and air pollution levels continue to make news, Walker Rowe examines the air pollution debate from an historical context – laying out how the United States has progressed since the Industrial Revolution and the steps China can take to lower its air pollution levels while meeting international standards.

If China and the United States are able to further their negotiations on climate change, it will further inspire global efforts to reduce pollution and clean up the environment, writes Zhao Xingshu.

According to new evidence, there is a devastating trade-off between coal-fueled economic growth and human life expectancy. Any progress in the U.S.-Chinese climate change talks could pave way for a truly global solution, writes Dan Steinbock.