Initiative for U.S.-China Dialogue on Global Issues

As a student in Georgetown’s M.S. in Environment & International Affairs program, I was excited to participate in the U.S.-China Student Dialogue to learn more about Chinese students’ perspectives on environmental and climate issues. China’s aggressive adoption of green technologies and renewable energy stands in stark contrast to the Trump Administration’s efforts to promote domestic fossil fuel production and retreat from the clean energy initiatives of the Biden administration. Though China is still the world’s leading coal consumer and fossil fuels still generated more than 60% of the country’s electricity in 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping has declared his country will work toward peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 10% from peak levels by 2035. By 2060, the country aims to achieve carbon neutrality. In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump has deemed global warming a “hoax” and repeatedly invoked the slogan, “drill, baby, drill.”

Given this bifurcation in the two countries’ trajectories and the stark contrast in attitudes of national leaders, I was especially looking forward to our dialogue on climate change, which was one of the assigned topics of discussion in our second virtual meeting. The dialogue commenced like all others did, with each participant providing a more thorough personal introduction than we had time for in the full group Zoom meetings. We shared names, areas of study, hometowns, and expressions of gratitude to each other for participating in this important program. The small group structure was integral to making this program a unique and effective experience in cross-cultural exchange. Conversations with just three Peking University and three Georgetown University students felt natural, like we were just another class project group or campus organization meeting after a long day of schoolwork.

I recall sharing with the Peking University students how energy production, climate change, and many environmental issues have become politicized topics in the United States. In turn, I asked about China’s investment in renewable energy, national goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and perspectives on the threats posed by climate change. Each Peking University student shared insightful thoughts that struck me as reflective of the broader differences between American and Chinese perspectives on this matter. In summarizing common attitudes toward climate action, the Peking University students invoked phrases like “duty” and “shared future,” alluding to the understanding that climate change is a nationwide challenge and therefore commands nationwide attention and demands a nationwide solution.

In return, the Georgetown University students and I shared how domestic political rhetoric and a two-party political system in the United States make consensus building a challenge at all levels of government. Further, reliance on revenue from oil and gas has been an integral part of local economies from Appalachia to Texas to Native Alaskan A.N.C.S.A. communities for generations. Sharing this analysis in our virtual dialogue felt like a productive and personal way to exchange ideas and compare perspectives, with plenty of opportunity for the kind of in-depth follow-up questions that are often skipped over in large group settings.

Daniel Lam (G'26) is a student in the Master of Science in Environment & International Affairs program studying environmental science and international security.