China’s Environmental Issues, a Domestic Challenge with Regional and International Implications

China’s Environmental Issues, a Domestic Challenge with Regional and International Implications

Christian Ploberger (Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK)
Copyright: © 2013 |Pages: 15
DOI: 10.4018/jal.2013070104

Abstract

China and its population are confronted with fundamental environmental challenges, as both, environmental degeneration and the impact of climate change exhibit critical social, economic and political implications for their future development. Among the various environmental challenges China faces we can identify pollution issues, soil erosion, acid rain, and sea-level rise. This variety of environmental issues increases the underling complexity of how best to address these challenges, especially as China’s growth strategy has the potential to exacerbate the negative impact on the environment. What’s more, China’s domestic environmental challenge also carries regional and global repercussions that could impact on its international relations. Consequently, how China’s government addresses its domestic environmental issues holds serious implications not only for the livelihood of its citizens, but for China’s regional and international relations as well.
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China’S Environmental Challenges

It is beyond question that China and its population are confronted with a complex environmental challenge, characterized by a diverse range of issues. Among them acid rain and urban air pollution, both of representing critical concern closely related to China’s coal based energy generation. Land degeneration represents, in its various forms (deforestation, desertification, soil erosion, salinization), another pressing issue for China, especially rural soil pollution is a critical topic. Marine pollution represents yet another pressing environmental issue for China.

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