Interest in electric vehicles is surging worldwide, but recent Google Trends data suggests it may be driven more by technological appeal than concerns about global warming.
One environmental expert links this shift to the politicization of climate change. Searches for “electric vehicle” and “EV” have steadily climbed over the past decade, with “China EV” reaching an all-time high this year.
This milestone highlights the success of China’s EV sector, which surpassed an annual production volume of 10 million units this year.
According to Google, a spike in search trends indicates an increase in user interest in a specific topic compared to usual levels.
Global warming searches at a two-decade low
Searches for “global warming” have dropped to their lowest level since tracking began in 2004, a figure previously matched only during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the South China Morning Post writes.
According to Paul Harris, chair professor of global and environmental studies at The Education University of Hong Kong, there has been a global shift away from using the term “global warming.” For scientists, this is because warming, along with other effects of rising greenhouse gas emissions, is encompassed by the broader concept of climate change.
The shift to using the term “climate change” has not been accompanied by widespread global acceptance of the issue. The concept remains highly politicized, entangled in domestic and geopolitical debates, and influenced by various vested interests. Advocates for climate action often adopt alternative terminology to navigate these challenges, Harris noted.
Mentions of global warming, climate change, and the environment peaked during the 2000 US presidential elections, according to Climate Power.
Recently, the focus in the US has shifted to promoting renewable energy for job creation, as this approach is seen as more politically acceptable than framing it around environmental or health benefits.
Beijing’s clean energy goals clouded by coal and rising trade conflicts
Harris noted that while China leads in solar and wind energy, it continues to approve new coal-fired power plants and set records in coal production. Beijing’s push for clean energy and EVs is part of a strategy to diversify its energy grid and achieve self-sufficiency.
However, concerns over Chinese overcapacity have led the EU and US to impose tariffs on its EVs and renewable energy products, escalating trade tensions.
According to Harris, the transition away from fossil fuels is inevitable due to its long-term benefits, but the problem is that global efforts to tackle climate change are progressing at a glacial pace.
A key goal of international climate policy has been to limit global warming to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius (35.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. This year marks the first full year where warming is expected to exceed 1.5 degrees above those levels.
However, while staying below 2 degrees of warming might be practically achievable, Harris noted that it could be “politically impossible” given the current geopolitical climate.