The Peoples Republic of China is a country of over 1.3 billion people with 20% of the world’s total population. Extensive environmental pollution in the region is often blamed on increased industrialization, with little or no environmental regulatory oversight. Water problems are many and include:
- The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River
- South-to-North Water Diversion Project
- Increased Desertification in the North
- Industrial Discharge
- Raw Sewage Discharge
PBS produced this documentary, China From The Inside, which highlights the governmental systems and environmental problems of China. Their web-site features an interactive map, such as the one depicted below, detailing water issues in China.
Above Photo: PBS
This recent post on Water Wired, talks of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China, billed by some as the largest hydrological alteration attempted in the world. Economically, China is beginning to make strides in the global market, but this progress is at often at the cost of the environment. Is the Communist Party of China (actually more similar to a state capitalist system) doing enough to preserve the country for future Chinese citizens?
It seems there needs to be some serious water conservation legislation enacted. I’m by means no fan of communism, but I think environmentalism is something that requires more of a socialist approach with much government intervention. The playing field is not level for technologies that support environmental conservation.
Check out this information I found concerning water conservaiton at:
http://www.enviro-family.com/water.html
Thanks for providing this information, Carl.