Rash decisions to drastically reduce emissions uncalled for

High temperatures and dry weather in China and Europe this summer, with Europe facing deadly heat waves and other extreme weather events, have left many experts wondering whether such kind of weather will become a "new normal" and prompted some to suggest that China make major changes in its national economic layout.

Since the Yangtze River basin and delta region have the largest population concentration and largest share in China's economy, the impact of the heat waves and drought on the country should not be underestimated.

But past data tell us that over a longer time span, devastating floods have occurred during dry weather spells and some areas have been in the grip of severe droughts even during exceptionally wet spells. These phenomena have occurred many a time in the past and thus do not necessarily suggest a change in the trend of climate change.