Why Chinas environmental and human rights record has a long way to go.
How the world’s priorities have changed over China: not so long ago the US Congress was earnestly debating China’s human-rights record. Today all anyone cares about is that China’s economic wheels keep turning, so it goes on filling its shelves with our goods. Far from worrying about China’s repressive regime, foreign politicians are mainly concerned that it keep a lid on the discontent caused by widespread official corruption. That’s why the outside world got a graphic glimpse of the rioting in Hunan. The crackdown on the 20,000 or so demonstrators was incredibly vicious, yet remarkably, a BBC TV reporter was allowed to film it. You can be sure that was no accident. Hu Jintao‘s regime is the most media savvy in China’s history: it wanted to show the world that, fine words about justice aside, it has the situation well under control, even if it means sending in a couple of thousand baton-wielding troops and declaring martial law.
photo credit: Zebra Pares
It’s a pity China wasn’t as tough on curbing the terrible price exacted by the steep economic growth. Once sleepy rural towns are now boxed in by factories and power plants belch acrid smoke. Even with a face mask it’s hard to breathe when you go outside. The sky is black – cars always drive with their headlights on; the soil is chemically contaminated (vegetables that grow there are covered with ugly black patches); and people are getting sick from skin infections, breathing disorders and cancers. Drinking water is the biggest worry: 90% of China’s water is now seriously polluted.
Europeans also make things worse by sending China all their supermarket packaging and plastic bags. Britain alone dumps around two million tonnes of waste in China every year. What can’t be recycled is melted down in acid baths, or burned, creating noxious fumes and appalling health problems for the locals.
However, China’s main problem is that most of its growth is fuelled by coal. Within a few months, its emission of greenhouse gases will exceed that of America: in 25 years, if left unchecked, it will be twice that of all developed nations put together. Yet China’s leaders remain reluctant to take any steps to stem it, fearing that to curb growth would be to invite social unrest which is crazy since pollution itself is now a prime cause of public anger. Two years ago, there was rioting when four million people had their water cut off following a chemical spill in the Songhua River. Other such accidents, albeit on a lesser scale, occur every other day, and it’s local politicians and businessmen, putting careers and profits before environmental safety, who are blamed for them.
photo credit: Orange And Milk
Chinas leaders used to blame the West for global warming, pointing out China has contributed less than 8% of CO2 emissions since 1850. But now they’ve signalled that they’re ready to engage in international negotiations on global warming. Beijing might well commit itself to binding caps on emissions (thereby robbing the US of its key excuse for not doing likewise). Better still, it aims to raise energy efficiency by 20% in four years – mainly by greater reliance on renewable sources and cut-backs in iron and steel production. This is ambitious as these targets far exceed those set by Western countries. Still, there’s an encouraging precedent. In the Sixties, Tokyo and Osaka were as polluted as China’s cities are now, but thanks to tough policies, Japan is now more energy-efficient than any other country. Let’s hope, for the world’s sake, that its neighbour can pull off the same trick.
__________________
“Approximately 80 % of our air pollution stems from hydrocarbons released by vegetation, so let’s not go overboard in setting and enforcing tough emission standards from man-made sources.”
Reagan, Ronald
__________________
What do you think? Leave a comment below:
Enjoy this post? Get more like it by subscribing
Related articles
- China’s Enviro Head-Fake
- A growing cleantech economy? China steps up its efforts to go green
- World Briefing | Asia: China: Japanese Ship to Visit
- Eco-Cities: Urban Planning for the Future
December 8, 2007 at 5:07 pm
130 times the pollution-causing sulfur that the United States allows in most diesel. (emphasis mine) Rob Thompson had an interesting post about China’s “repressive polluted regeme”… Even with a face mask it’s hard to breathe when you go outside.The sky is black – cars always drive with their headlights on;the soil is chemically contaminated (vegetables that grow there are covered with ugly black patches); and people are getting sick from skin infections, breathing disorders and cancers. Drinking water is the biggest worry: 90% of China’s water is now
June 4, 2007 at 11:06 am
China won’t seem to mind its ailing environment or whether the famed Yellow River will turn RED for that matter. For now it seems bent on making its military the strongest force on earth.
In a future confrontation, the Americans won’t stand a chance. The rationale is simple; why then are they beefing up their military might?
The answer is the question itself. 😉
June 4, 2007 at 6:06 am
China won't seem to mind its ailing environment or whether the famed Yellow River will turn RED for that matter. For now it seems bent on making its military the strongest force on earth.In a future confrontation, the Americans won't stand a chance. The rationale is simple; why then are they beefing up their military might?The answer is the question itself. 😉
October 18, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Since Im an American, I think that some people are full of themselves. They need to learn that air polution is a serious matter. They are helping cause global warming and smog. They need to help out the atmoshere a little and think of others.
October 18, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Since Im an American, I think that some people are full of themselves. They need to learn that air polution is a serious matter. They are helping cause global warming and smog. They need to help out the atmoshere a little and think of others.
May 22, 2008 at 9:20 am
this is from China
May 22, 2008 at 9:21 am
seo
May 22, 2008 at 4:20 am
this is from China
May 22, 2008 at 4:21 am
seo
June 2, 2008 at 3:17 am
China owns most of the debt that has been issued to run the most indebted country in the history of mankind, yes, that is US as in the USA. Our government spends like there “deficits do not matter” and now China owns us and there is little if anything we can do about it.
June 1, 2008 at 10:17 pm
China owns most of the debt that has been issued to run the most indebted country in the history of mankind, yes, that is US as in the USA. Our government spends like there “deficits do not matter” and now China owns us and there is little if anything we can do about it.
June 10, 2008 at 6:01 pm
China should be banned internationally for all the pollution they generated to the earth. They also should be banned for doing products of low quality.
June 10, 2008 at 1:01 pm
China should be banned internationally for all the pollution they generated to the earth. They also should be banned for doing products of low quality.
June 13, 2008 at 2:18 am
I agree, air polution is very serious probem nowadays, however not only China is responsible for that. The USA generates more polution than many other countries…
June 12, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I agree, air polution is very serious probem nowadays, however not only China is responsible for that. The USA generates more polution than many other countries…
July 11, 2008 at 7:58 am
China is a fast growing economy and with such pace sacrifices need to be made. Chemical plants are doing better now not just in china but around the world as well. according to a quote in Forbes Magazine with such entirety of destruction these days some industries have begun to stand apart like honda with its green car like toyota close up in that race. with the packaging firms innovating new packaging strategies some like abc packaging are doing more then just that.
July 11, 2008 at 2:58 am
China is a fast growing economy and with such pace sacrifices need to be made. Chemical plants are doing better now not just in china but around the world as well. according to a quote in Forbes Magazine with such entirety of destruction these days some industries have begun to stand apart like honda with its green car like toyota close up in that race. with the packaging firms innovating new packaging strategies some like abc packaging are doing more then just that.
August 7, 2009 at 2:26 am
it sucks that other countries don't do more to help our enviroment.