Environmental challenge

China´s attitude towards environment. Examples

China – Environment Hunter

 

Status Quo

 

China’s rapid growth is now a driving force in the global economy and is achieving unique rates of poverty reduction. However, growth is also seriously damaging the natural resources and is generating major environmental problems. The country’s environmental problems include land erosion, failing water quality and water shortage, severe air pollution and declining natural forest cover. These problems threaten the health and prospects of current and future generations.

 

Olympics

 

During the 2008 Olympic Games, blue skies are a requirement not only for Beijing, but also for the places around it. One measure that has been taken is the relocation of national steel manufacturer Beijing Shougang Group, from the capital to the tiny island of Caofeidian.

 

Special working groups will be set up in the Chinese capital of Beijing and four surrounding regions to ensure good air quality during the 2008 Olympics.

 

Zhang Lijun, deputy director of the State Environmental Protection Administration, said they would look for new ways to deal with air pollution through regional cooperation so as to ensure good air quality during the 2008 Olympics.

 

 

Three Gorges Dam

 

The Three Gorges is a hydroelectric river dam that spans the Yangtze River.

It is the largest hydro-electric power station in the world. The total electric generating capacity of the dam reaches 22,500 MW (Compared to the Ennskraftwerk in Ternberg, with 40,4 MW, this is really a huge amount of energy!)

 

The relocation of local residents was one of the central parts of the Three Gorges Dam Project (1.24 million people were relocated).

 

The 600 kilometer long reservoir has flooded about 1,300 archaeological sites and alters the appearance of the Three Gorges as the water level rises over hundred meters at various locations.

 

 

 

Problems and possible solutions

 

Problem: China has developed numerous environmental laws and policies, but most of them are just on paper. Environmental protection agencies are not sufficient enough. When there are conflicts between environmental protection and economic development, I don´t think that I need to tell you which of the two is preferred…

 

Possible Solution: Environmental protection agencies should have more authority, more financial resources and more manpower to enforce environmental laws and policies, and to monitor environmental conditions nationwide. It is necessary to continue, improve, and expand the existing conservation programs, such as the Natural Forest Conservation Program (which would also help the Pandas).