August 13, 2008
-
How Green is China?
When many people say that China eats her words about hosting Green Olympics, I have some reservations. Many environmentalists also have some reservations on this issue. Once again, this displays to us that the world is not linear. When we evaluate certain issues, there may not be two ends only, white or black. Making things too simplified in a sophisticated world is only what those who fear that their voice cannot be heard can do with their full throttle.
Is China green? Of course not! The average lead content in the blood of a Mainland Chinese is double that of a First World Citizen. Scaring, right? The phenomenon of draught in certain parts of Yellow River and the desertification are the aftermath of over forestry. The algae-pollution in certain lakes is caused by the over usage of the lakes and the direct human pollution into the lakes. The decreasing harvest of fishery is the consequence of overfishing. The air pollution with suspending particles is the direct result of the conversion of agricultural lands into heavy industrial lands. The extinction of many endangered chinese species is further accelerated by the urbanisation in China and the direct hunting. Is China green? Of course not! There are still many many examples which can tell us that China is not green.
If you ask a real environmentalist what the most urgent thing we need to do to preserve our Earth, he/she will simply tell you that we should control the explosion of human population. Therefore many environmentalists do appreciate the policy of birth control in China. During my stays in Shanghai, I found that there were so many refill packages of various family commodities like detergents and liquid food. Mainland Chinese get used to buy refill packages which are in general more environmentally friendly. Chinese Government has prohibited inland forestry. This policy largely preserves the primitive forest in China, especially the Southwestern China. Chinese Government also implements various policies to stop the pollution of the rivers and the lakes. Once a year, we will have a period of prohibition of fishery to preserve the fish growth. As a result, the fishery harvest is improved. Guangdong Government successfully stops all the heavy industries in the province. As we can see, not only Guangdong but also Hong Kong are benefitted from the policy. The air is much cleaner. One more! Plastic bags! No plastic bags are free in Mainland now. How much time to we need to pass the law of taxation on plastic bags?
Is China green? Think twice when we answer this question. The Government has done many things that the First World cannot even dream of to preserve the Earth.