Environment of China

One of the serious negative consequences of mainland China's rapid industrial development has been increased pollution and degradation of natural resources. A 1998 World Health Organization report on air quality in 272 cities worldwide concluded that seven of the world's 10 most polluted cities were in China. According to the People's Republic of China's own evaluation, two-thirds of the 338 cities for which air-quality data are available are considered polluted--two-thirds of them moderately or severely so. Respiratory and heart diseases related to air pollution are the leading cause of death in China. Almost all of the nation's rivers are considered polluted to some degree, and half of the population lacks access to clean water. Ninety percent of urban water bodies are severely polluted. Water scarcity also is an issue; for example, severe water scarcity in Northern China is a serious threat to sustained economic growth and has forced the government to begin implementing a largescale diversion of water from the Yangtze River to northern cities, including Beijing and Tianjin. Acid rain falls on 30% of the country. Various studies estimate pollution costs the Chinese economy about 7-10% of GDP each year.

The PRC's leaders are increasingly paying attention to the country's severe environmental problems. In March 1998, the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) was officially upgraded to a ministry-level agency, reflecting the growing importance the PRC Government places on environmental protection. In recent years, the PRC has strengthened its environmental legislation and made some progress in stemming environmental deterioration. In 1999, the PRC invested more than one percent of GDP in environmental protection, a proportion that will likely increase in coming years. During the 10th 5-Year Plan, the PRC plans to reduce total emissions by 10%. Beijing in particular is investing heavily in pollution control as part of its campaign to host a successful Olympiad in 2008. Some cities have seen improvement in air quality in recent years.

The People's Republic of China is an active participant in the climate change talks and other multilateral environmental negotiations, taking environmental challenges seriously but pushing for the developed world to help developing countries to a greater extent. It is a signatory to the Basel Convention governing the transport and disposal of hazardous waste and the Montreal Protocol for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, as well as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and other major environmental agreements.

The question of environmental impacts associated with the Three Gorges Dam project has generated controversy among environmentalists inside and outside China. Critics claim that erosion and silting of the Yangtze River threaten several endangered species, while Chinese officials say the dam will help prevent devastating floods and generate clean hydroelectric power that will enable the region to lower its dependence on coal, thus lessening air pollution.

Mainland China's pollution issues are largely resultant of the country's escalating position as a major exporter. China is oft accused of attempting to "export itself into a healthy economy" by expediting increases in manufacturing capacity without the ecological temperance to balance industrial might with reasonable environmental controls.

China's Environment: International Interest

Studying China's current export vs. environment paradox is, indeed, one with many parallels throughout the world's industrialized cultures. China's particular situation at the outset of the 21st century presents one particular contrast to other historic industrial expansions. Not only is China's industrial infrastructure expanding at a rapid, reputedly unrestricted pace; China is also experiencing difficult cultural issues as China's government and society begin tepid integration with more westernized societies.

In the United States at the outset of the twentieth century, industrial pollution clogged metropolitan centers as the landscape and boundaries of many U.S. cities were formed. This parallel can be contrasted to several differences between the U.S. industrial awakening and the rapid growth of industrial mainland China. First, much of the industrial U.S. growth was in response to burgeoning new industries developed with first-run mechanical technology. This "first mover" status granted the U.S. a minor reprieve, as the unsavory results of many industrial processes could not be fully understood until years or decades after their development. Secondly, the United States government remained largely unchanged during the early industrial period. Thirdly, free market conditions existing in the United States catalyzed the creation of regulatory authorities to introduce a modicum of safety and environmental protection.

Many of the international complaints regarding China's intensifying environmental concerns either ignore or dismiss China's unknown timetable with regard to this unfolding "industrial revolution." Critics' condemnation might cite the enormous technical evidence and accepted scientific basics that regard China's industrial growth patterns as environmentally unwise. Proponents of China's newfound industry may also utilize similar historic arguments in favor of China's rising exports and economic westernization. Ultimately, every known industrialized society has recognized the benefits of modernization have necessitated environmental regulation to offer various types of socioeconomic protection. Different countries have responded to these needs in markedly diverse ways, however the combined knowledge gained during the twentieth century has provided a common knowledge base of fundamental environmental strategies. Some strategies and scientific beliefs are more commonly accepted than others, while many are society-specific or germane to certain scientific circles. The divergent sciences associated with environmental issues are further complicated by the universal groups affected by and interested in the numerous cause:effect relationships. Commercial, ecological, social, medical, governmental, educational, legal and religious concerns regularly present vociferous arguments for or against the minutae of industrial issues. China's industrialization, as one of the most watched stories of the burgeoning twenty-first century, is a critical study of perspective. For some, it is difficult to deny China its opportunity to follow an industrial quickening of a timetable and pace comfortable for a soverign nation. The greater China's integration with other first world societies, as these theories are presented, the better chance China might improve basic human rights or forge a responsible environmental treatise. For others, it is difficult to watch China repeat the well-documented mistakes of the 20th century industrial revolutions [to the potential detriment of its ecology and citizenry]. Again, critical analysis of perspective is key should a reasonable review of any of the myriad related issues be sought. China's current difficulties in management, delivery and/or availability of certain natural resources would indicate a present, legitimate need to dedicate considerable time to reviewing its industrial decisions. The potential discussions on this topic are difficult to exhaust, as China's industrial invigoration could provide the very capital necessary to implement any serious, comprehensive environmental modification.

The United States and People's Republic of China have been engaged in an active program of bilateral environmental cooperation since the mid-1990s, with an emphasis on clean energy technology and the design of effective environmental policy. While both governments view this cooperation positively, the PRC has often compared the US program, which lacks a foreign assistance component, with those of Japan and several European Union (EU) countries that include generous levels of aid.

See also:

• Chinese CO2 emissions
• Geography of China
• Ecology of Hong Kong
• Economy of the People's Republic of China

Reference

• Original text from State Department Background Note: China (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/18902.htm)

External links

• Interview with Pan Yue, China' deputy environment minister (http://www.opendemocracy.net/debates/article-6-129-2407.jsp)
• Chinese environmental activist on climate change (http://www.opendemocracy.net/globalization-climate_change_debate/article_2520.jsp#one)