Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 25
A Critical Assessment of
Environmental Degeneration
and Climate Change:
A Multidimensional (Political,
Economic, Security) Challenge for
China's Future Economic Development
and its Global Reputation
1
Christian Ploberger
University of Birmingham, UK
ABSTRACT
China and its population are confronted with fundamental environmental challenges, as both environ-
mental degeneration and the impact of climate change exhibit critical political, economic, and social
implications for their future development. Among the various environmental challenges China faces,
this chapter identifies pollution issues, soil erosion, acid rain, and sea-level rise. This variety of environ-
mental 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 further.
Hence the question which development strategy China will follow-a 'growth first and clean up later'
or 'cleaning up while growing'-carries serious implications not only for the environmental situation in
China itself, but for the international community as well. It is crucial to recognize that China's multidi-
mensional environmental challenges also carry critical implications for China's international reputation.
