Energy Secretary says US should learn from China when it comes to climate change

United States Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said this week that Americans should "learn from what China is doing" when combating climate change. 

Granholm attended an annual SXSW conference in Austin, Texas where she praised China for its work in tackling climate change. 

Despite the fact that China set its coal-production record last year, Granholm insisted that China was doing its part to help the climate.

"But I think China has done — has been very sensitive, and has actually invested a lot in their solutions, to achieve their goals," Granholm said during an interview at the conference. 

"So we're hopeful that, you know, we can all learn from what China is doing," she added to her statement. 

Granholm also made clear that it's "encouraging" how China is investing its money in clean energy. 

Over the past two years, China and the US have come to an agreement to work together to solve the crisis, though critics say that China isn't doing its part.