Do we want the Chinese yuan or the American dollar to be the future international currency? In what condition should our children inherit this planet? 

In the warming world of 2025, China is projected to be the largest investor in clean energy globally, investing significantly more than the U.S. and the European Union combined. Phenomenally, wind and solar are now cheaper than fossil fuel energy. 

Not only does China dominate wind, solar and storage batteries but it has become the world’s largest electric vehicle producer and exporter. Many of those vehicles are considered to be of high quality and a very good value. 

The fastest growing market for China’s clean energy technologies are low- and middle-income countries. The U.S. no longer holds loyalty from these nations because President Trump has essentially canceled our aid programs. 

As China leads the critical green energy transition, the U.S. is abdicating its role. Trump withdrew us from the international Paris Climate Accord and for the first time in the 30-year history of the United Nations Annual Climate Summit, the U.S. has no official representation. China is taking center stage there amongst almost 200 nations. 

Meanwhile, Trump is still calling climate change a “hoax.” The administration has canceled the funding for hundreds of wind and solar projects, some almost completed. Instead he is investing in the projects of his huge campaign contributors: oil and gas.

Let’s organize to choose leaders with foresight who can lead our economy toward a green future.

Nancy Jacobson
Bangor