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Analysis: Clean energy just put China’s CO2 emissions into reverse for first time - Carbon Brief
(www.carbonbrief.org)
Notice how little political control the fossil fuel industries have on China. Having a strong social safety net and an economy that is adaptive to changing industrial trends thanks to accessible education makes it way less contentious to reduce demand for these resources.
In the UK, we have an entire generation of workers defined by their struggle to keep mines open against austerity measures. These jobs were the only industrial jobs available to millions of people and without them there was no alternative that offered the same security and autonomy. Thus, it was resisted to the point that the foundations of the state itself were under threat. Oil magnates learned very quickly that to ensure the same militancy in their own supporters, they would have to keep their workers well paid and well placated.
How many workers would be totally on board with the climate change economic transitions if they weren't locked into the only jobs that offer security, good wages and working benefits? China makes a good case for that number being higher than any liberal pollster will ever admit.