China: China Sarah Skikne Victoria Fayer Kate Stanford October 6, 2004


Geography and Statistics: Geography and Statistics


Geography and Statistics: Geography and Statistics Land under human influence


Geography and Statistics: Geography and Statistics Land without vegetation


China’s Environmental History: China’s Environmental History 600 AD: overpopulation in areas, migration in search of arable land, better water resources 1400 AD: 100 million people Mao’s Culturul Revolution: Back yard steel furnaces Industries moved to the countryside for “protection” Deforestation for agriculture 1978 Open Door Policy - Today: accelerated economic growth has accelerated the problems


Minestry of Water Resouces, Jiang Dewen, 2004 :: Minestry of Water Resouces, Jiang Dewen, 2004 : “Fast economic and social development requires large-scale infrastructure construction, which has affected the natural environment.” “The conflict between economic development and natural resources has become very pronounced in China.”


Overview of Environmental Issues: Overview of Environmental Issues Deforestation Land Degradation Air Pollution Water Contamination


Deforestation: Deforestation Local forests have long served as firewood in rural areas, and lumber in construction and furniture making Forests are currently in danger from the increased demand for paper China’s forests: 17% of total area US forests: 25% of total area Canada: 46% of total area


Deforestation: Deforestation 50% of loss: conversion to settlements 50% of loss: logging Forest loss in China is about 4 – 6% per year


Deforestation - Consequences: Deforestation - Consequences Accelerated soil erosion and flooding Increased amount of sediment that accumulates in reservoirs and deltas Dust storms, desertification


Land Degradation – Soil Erosion: Land Degradation – Soil Erosion 37% of China’s land area is affected by soil erosion (3.56 million sq km) Every year, about 5 billion tons of soil lost


Yangtze River: Yangtze River Longest river in China, and third longest on Earth: 6,300 km long 41.1% of the river basin area (740,000 sq km of land) suffers from soil erosion problems Every year, the river basin loses 2.24 billion tons of soil


Yangtze River: Yangtze River Experts in the area say that soil erosion has become a “big headache” for social and economic growth in the surrounding area


Case Study –  Loess Highlands Project: Case Study – Loess Highlands Project Located in northwest China In 1994, a conservation program in Loess Highlands was launched using loans from overseas financial institutions Loan from the World Bank of 2.1 billion yuan (US $150 million)


Case Study –  Loess Highlands Project: Case Study – Loess Highlands Project Brought 4,843 sq. km of affected area under control in 22 counties Annual grain output increased from 430,000 tons to 700,000 tons currently Net income of local peasant farmers increased threefold, to 1,263 yuan (US $152)


Air Pollution: Air Pollution 16 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities 4 million deaths per year 300,000 premature deaths due to respiratory diseases


Air Pollution - Transportation: Air Pollution - Transportation Fastest growing auto market in world 2 million cars sold in 2003 80% increase over 2002 Cars made by China companies in cooperation with foreign car manufacturers (e.g., BMW and Audi)


Air Pollution - Transportation: Air Pollution - Transportation


Air Pollution - Transportation: Air Pollution - Transportation Average emission rate per vehicle is very high CO and NOx Big step back New fuel efficiency standards 27.5 miles per gallon in 2007 (higher than current US standards) Implementation???


Air Pollution - Transportation: Air Pollution - Transportation China is the world’s second largest consumer of oil Oil use expected to grow 13% this year Growing demand industry and car ownership Chinese Gas Station


Air Pollution - Energy Generation: Air Pollution - Energy Generation 70% of energy produced from coal SO2 Pollution and acid rain Growing demand Goal: 10% of energy from renewable resources by 2010


Water Shortages: Water Shortages Growing demand Per capita supply is 25% global average, most is in South 60 million find it difficult to get water for their daily needs Relocation of thousands along coasts “Cloud seeding” during droughts


Water Pollution: Water Pollution Pollution from industrial waste water 70% of the water in 5 major river systems is unsuitable for human contact 700 million drink contaminated water on a daily basis Almost 20% of agriculture and poultry in industrial / mining districts contain excess contamination Communities along the major river system report high rates of cancer, tumors, stunted growth, spontaneous abortion and diminished IQs


Case Study- Shangba, “cancer village”. : Case Study- Shangba, “cancer village”. Gov’t owned mineral mine and smaller private mines dump toxic waste into local rivers Lead 44x permitted rates Rice yields 1/3 nat’l ave, incomes 1/3 province ave. One woman needs new kettle each month because water corrodes the metal Local reservoir solution dropped because of 8.4m yuan cost


Current Issues: Current Issues Three Gorges Dam 2008 Olympics


Three Gorges Dam - Background: Three Gorges Dam - Background Dam on Yangtze River in Hubei Province Originally proposed in 1919 Premier Li Ping gained legislature’s approval in 1992 Will be completed in 2009


Three Gorges Dam - Logistics: Three Gorges Dam - Logistics Functions: flood control, power generation, improved navigation Cost: 24.65 billion US$ Over 600 feet tall Over one mile long Largest hydroelectric dam in world


Three Gorges Dam - Benefits: Three Gorges Dam - Benefits Cleaner energy production Capacity = 18.2 million kilowatts Equivalent to 18 nuclear power plants 1/9th of total production Flood control Over 1 million people have died from floods in the past 100 years Navigation Increase in freight transport to interior, agricultural center


Three Gorges Dam - Costs: Three Gorges Dam - Costs Water Pollution Accumulation of toxins within reservoir Ecosystem, biodiversity losses Project requires extensive logging Resettlement because 1.9 million people  Less fertile land Inundation of 100 towns, 1300 archaeological sites Corruption, spiraling costs, etc.


Three Gorges Dam –  Present Situation: Three Gorges Dam – Present Situation 80 cracks, 2.5 meters in depth (by 2003) Beginning to fill reservoirs and generate power Reservoir will be completely full in 2009


2008 Green Olympics: 2008 Green Olympics Wastewater treatment improved Grass planting to fight desertification and “Green Great Wall” Stricter emissions standards Polluting industries relocated or converted Coal burners converted Air quality improved 34% over 1998


2008 Green Olympics: 2008 Green Olympics Effects of debt on environment Relocation of industries to where? Effects on countries supplying materials Efforts to maintain a green Beijing after the Olympics Effects of massive infrastructure after the Olympics


Perceptions: Perceptions Lack of understanding of concept that the “polluter should pay” Short term vs. long term goals Mao: Man must “conquer nature and thus attain freedom from nature”