Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
atmospheric environment and its condition in
East Asia; and to increase the public awareness
and common understanding social, economic and
environmental impacts of atmospheric pollution
in East Asia (Strategy on EANET Development
2006-2010, 2006, pp. 1-2). EANET may represent
a successful and positive attempt of regional en-
vironmental governance in addressing a specific
environmental challenge. However, addressing
the issue of acid rain successfully will largely
depend on further developments within China
and China's ability or inability of substituting
its coal based energy generation and at the same
time to provide sufficient energy for its booming
economy. Acid rain and climate change issues
are also closely related to energy security and
could lead to tensions in addressing these issues
in the future. Yet, the situation regarding the Kosa
phenomenon is rather different and though some
forms of cooperation are developing (establishing
a Yellow Dust Monitoring Network in 2002) they
are still in a rather early stage of development
(Brettel, 2007, pp. 89-113). Regarding the sources
and the spatial distribution of the Kosa phenomena
there are three principal areas identified, among
them parts of western China (Taklimakan Desert
and surrounding areas), northern China as well
as desert and semi-desert areas in southern Mon-
golia. Yet, based on scientific evidence, there are
indications that the area in western China only
contributes a negligible level to the downwind
distribution, which severely affects other parts of
China, Korea and Japan. Instead, it seems that the
contribution from northern China and from south-
ern parts of Mongolia to the Kosa phenomenon
are more significant when evaluating it negative
impact on Korea and Japan. In addition, there is
evidence that the centre of Kosa is shifting fur-
ther north (Wang at all, 2008, pp. 547-8). Here
again, the scientific issue plays a crucial role in
determining the source of and implications of the
Kosa phenomenon.
Yet, whether these collaborations will lead to
among the involved countries is an open ques-
tion, but if they are able to address their common
environmental challenges, they may come to an
understanding regarding other issues as well.
CONCLUSION
This paper addresses the complexity involved
when tackling the issue of environmental de-
generation and the impact climate change has
on China's future development and on China's
population. Addressing these challenges requires
acknowledging that various fundamental issues
underlining the environmental issue. One critical
factor is the scientific agenda - the identification
of the existing link between a specific environ-
mental issue and its implications for human health.
Establishing such a link provides a critical chal-
lenge, especially when addressing such complex
issues as climate change. Nor is it without a chal-
lenge to communicate scientific work to a wider
population. In addition, we can also identify an
environment-development nexus, as different
economic growth and modernization strategies
will differ in their impact on the environment. Yet
selecting a specific development strategy, either to
include or exclude environmental consideration is
a conscious and deliberate political decision and
takes place within a specific political, economic,
historical and social setting. Another critical fea-
ture of environmental issues is that they are not
bounded by national borders. Cross-border pollu-
tion issues are prominent examples, as is the case
with climate change. The specific nature of the
environmental issue could carry potentially seri-
ous consequences, for bilateral and international
relations, by instigating a dynamic process which
can be measured on a continuum between coopera-
tion and conflict. It may also inherent a potential
for spillover effects regarding other bilateral and
multilateral relations, again with the potential of
impacting on both ends of the co-operation/conflict
