As China faces once-in-a-generation flooding, it is disturbing to hear reports that China and Saudi Arabia may have obstructed climate change discussions at the G20 last week. China, which accounts for half of the world's coal production, has resisted calls to curb emissions, which continue to increase. China is seeing the real impacts of climate inaction this week, and it will hopefully spur change in Beijing.
The PRC has been at the forefront of flood prevention as the country ramps up search-and-rescue efforts to minimize the loss of life. For the first time in its history, specially constructed reservoirs to detain floodwaters were put to use and greatly minimized damage from flooding. China will do whatever is necessary to mitigate the impacts of these typhoons and build even more resilient measures for the future.