Environmental concerns in China: problems, policies, and global implications

International Social Science Review, Spring-Summer, 2006 by Xiaofan Li

(6) AIR: The emission of greenhouse gases produces carbon dioxide (C[O.sub.2]), methane (C[H.sub.4]), nitrous oxide ([N.sub.2]O), and chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs), all major sources of air pollution. Global climate changes induced by the greenhouse effect will have a destructive impact the health of China's people. Air pollution from noxious chemicals and gases causes respiratory illnesses, skin and eye irritation, chronic bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary heart disease, and lung cancer. (18) Air pollution also is expected to have a major impact on the world's food supply. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global grain production is expected to decline by six to eight percent if the current global warming trend continues. (19) This will make it increasingly difficult for China to feed its massive population.

In 1990, China was responsible for ten percent of global C[O.sub.2] emissions. (20) At present, China produces the largest source of sulfur dioxide (S[O.sub.2]) and sulfur emissions in East Asia. Since China remains heavily dependent on coal as an energy source, it is unlikely that this trend will be reduced significantly in the near future. Instead, China's air quality is likely to worsen due to the emission of sulfur and nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and dust particles. (21)

(7) POPULATION: Population growth and environmental concerns arc directly intertwined. Environmental pollution has its most serious impact on human health in densely populated regions where agricultural and industrial activities overlap, and tremendous pressure is placed on resources closely linked to the environment, such as land, water, and climate.

The damage that China's massive population and continuous economic growth have caused to its environment are "basically irreversible in the medium term." (22) Although population growth alone is no longer a major contributor to China's ongoing environmental degradation, there is a correlation between China's natural environment and population growth. First, with a continuing low fertility and mortality rate, there has been a significant increase in China's young adult population, producing greater demands for employment. Mushrooming township and village enterprises have absorbed much of this demand. These jobs are less likely to require technological skills and are usually found in industries that use energy and resources inefficiently. These pollution-generated industries are not closed down because of concerns over laying off large numbers of workers. Environmental concerns thus take a backseat to economic growth. (23) Second, enhanced living standards will only aggravate China's environmental problems. The rise in living standards has produced a greater demand for an abundance of quality food. This stimulates increased agricultural production through the use of fertilizer and pesticides, which increases the amount of contaminated water released into rivers, lakes, and oceans. Likewise, increases in household income has led to rising demands for water, electricity, heating, air conditioning, and transportation which also effects China's environment adversely. (24)