November 29, 2010
By: Suzanne Goldenberg
Summary: The United States is at risk of falling far behind advances by China and other countries in the global cleanenergy race. US energy secretary Steven Chu said that the US urgently needed to invest in research and innovation, much like it responded the the Soviet Union's launch of the first space satellite in 1957. Chu is a Nobel prize winner in physics and he said that over the last 15 years the United States has been losing ground to China and India in research and hi-tech manufacturing. For the first time ever last year, the majority of US patents were awarded to inventors based outside America. Meanwhile, China has emerged as the world's largest producer of wind and solar power and was breaking ground on 30 new nuclear reactors. He said that America still has the opportunity to lead the world, we just essentially need a new industrial revolution.
Opinion: This is actually a very frightful story. America is tumbling down in the world rankings for the most part. If we really are on a downslide during one of the greatest economic crisis's of our nation, then we are in trouble. We need to right the ship and get back to our former status of being the greatest nation in the world. We have seemed to of lost that rank to either China or India. Hopefully our nation will be able to get back to where we belong.
Questions:
1. Will America recover from this?
2. Do you believe China will be referred to as the most powerful nation in the world soon?
3. Who is more powerful in research, America or China?
This article actually did not suprise me. In the recent years, I have heard many theories that America is falling behind. Not only are we falling behind in green technology, we are falling behind in education. I believe that we need to increase the incentives to keep children in school and further education at universities. This reminds me of the discussion I had in my social studies class last year about how other countries are more willing to work hard for advancements. Because of their willingness to work harder, other countries are getting ahead. This certainly does not apply to all people, but it applys to many. I, myself, know their are currently children in countries around the world, passing me by. America needs to work hard to find ways to pull back ahead, especially in the enviromental field. Our world comes first because without it, nothing else would matter.
ReplyDeleteMore Questions:
1. Why do you think America is falling behind?
2. How can America recover?
3. How long will it take for America to get back into the running?
After I finished this article I wasn't too surprised. I know that China is a very developed country and they have been exceeding in green technology for the past couple of years. America has been falling behind since we are also falling behind in education. Being behind China is very frightening and somewhat new to us. We are usually always on top and now that we aren't we must find a way to get back to normal. This article reminds me of the unit we learned on the industrial revolution. If we have a modern industrial revolution for green technology we could come out on top again. It is necessary that we overcome China in finding environmental friendly ways so we can get back to being the leader.
ReplyDeleteMelissa's response continued...
ReplyDeleteMore Questions:
1)What are some ideas for America so we can get back on top?
2) When do you think we will be number one?
3) What are some reasons, other than the decrease of green technology, that America is falling behind other countries?
I agree with Cole. As of now, the US is running short on fossil fuels, and with the increasing population, it's bound to get only shorter. Also, the world supply does not only pertain to us, but it is shared with the rest of the world. The only way to fight out of this is for the US to also come up with new renewable sources. Unless that happens, it will continue to fall behind China.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2:
I think it's very likely China will lead the world some day. As of now, there are more chinese speakers than english speakers. Also, education wise, China has a much stricter policy, having its students study for hours and hours, everyday. However, in the US, studies have proven teens read less and less and test scores have dropped over the years. With this rate, the US cannot help but fall behind China.