Marine protected areas are crucial for conserving blue carbon resources in coastal and deep-sea ecosystems, and these conservation efforts can play a crucial role in reaching multilateral treaties and mitigating conflict in areas such as the South China Sea.

The advent of plastic mulch has electrified agricultural output globally, with China leading the way in its application. Sadly, plastic fragments are now heavily polluting China’s agricultural soils. New regulations within the 14th five-year plan set out to greatly restrict the use of the ultra-thin plastic and protect China’s soil.

It’s a good time to reflect on lessons learned in the pandemic era and look beyond it. If we let things continue as they are, widening income disparities will inevitably promote political divergence, social polarization and vulnerability.

Though DC and Beijing seem to be holding grudges, the state of California has been willing to collaborate with the Chinese government in the area of climate cooperation, and may show how U.S.-China ties can be improved outside of federal exchanges.

Rare earth minerals are well-known, but not well understood by the general public. The complex process needed to create green technology runs straight through China, exposing the U.S. to serious vulnerabilities in obtaining the necessary components for everything from smart phones to electric cars should relations ever turn cold.

As the war in Ukraine continues, the world is learning much about the global dependence on natural resources from Russia’s neighboring states - many of which are vital to “green technology.”

The global pandemic no longer holds the world hostage as it did in 2020 - yet it’s effects and deadly consequences are still present along with the lingering threat of war and economic collapse.

Climate cooperation has been touted as an area of common interest for the U.S. and China - and the scientific work being done on the ground by scientists offers much to be shared between the two nations.

Coming out of the COP26 Summit, focus was on Xi Jinping’s absence at the summit, rather than on the shortcomings of major global powers in mitigating climate change - including those whose leaders showed up.

Global leaders are meeting now in Glasgow in one of the world’s largest ever summits regarding the climate. It’s a rare opportunity for the U.S. and China to set aside their disputes and focus on a critical shared goal.