Environmental Concerns in China and Beyond

China's Filthiest Export
By Jennifer L. Turner and Juli S. Kim

The economic boom Deng Xiaoping sparked in 1980 brought millions out of poverty and turned China into the world's factory. However, by following in the footsteps of many western countries that opted to "pollute first and clean up later," China built its economic success on a foundation of ecological destruction. This environmental destruction is threatening the economy, human health, and social stability, as well as potentially causing irreparable damage to the water, soil, and forest ecosystems.

China's weak enforcement of environmental laws is also leading to natural resource destruction well beyond its borders. China already consumes more energy and emits more greenhouse gases (GHG) than any country except the United States. It is expected to surpass the United States in GHG emissions by 2009. The expansion of China's power plants alone—562 new coal-fired power stations by 2012—could nullify the cuts required under the Kyoto Protocol from industrialized countries.

Jennifer L. Turner directs the China Environment Forum and edits the China Environment Series at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The China Environment Forum recently initiated a new China Environmental Health project with Western Kentucky University. She can be reached at cef@wilsoncenter.org. Juli S. Kim is program assistant for the China Environment Forum and can be reached at juli.kim@wilsoncenter.org.

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