Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
water resources and energy. Research shows that if global temperatures were to rise
by 2-3
C, China's total grain output in 2050 would drop by one-fifth. Annual
runoff of the rivers in northern China would decrease by 2-10 %, further
exacerbating food insecurity and current strains on water resources. China's rela-
tively prosperous Yangtze River Delta, provinces in the Pearl River Delta and cities
located in coastal areas are the most susceptible to global warming. If global
warming is not restrained, the region's economic growth will slow or even back-
slide, which not only threatens existing development results but will also bring new
problems related to housing, employment and even social stability.
8.2.2 Climate Change will Deeply Affect Human Civilization
and the World Order
Since climate change is being accepted as a global issue, no country may ignore it.
Therefore, it is inevitable that climate change will significantly change the survival
and development mode of human society and will lead to a new revolution in
human society.
Global efforts in addressing climate change will reshape international eco-
nomic and political relations. Concerted efforts by all countries in addressing
climate change will promote changes in international trade and the political arena.
Political groups with varying interests will inevitably take different positions on
issues like the liability for environmental damages, the right to development,
emissions reduction obligations, technology transfers and financial compensation
etc. These political divisions over the issue will change international political and
diplomatic patterns and reshuffle international political and economic relations.
Climate change will also affect international industrial distribution and interna-
tional trade. Climate change will further highlight trans-boundary resource compe-
tition, distribute liabilities on a global scale and even become the cause of
intensified international conflicts.
Climate change will change the concept of values. The traditional concept of
environmental values is anthropocentric. Under this view, nature is regarded as
simply a source of resources for mankind. Addressing climate change highlights the
necessity of adjusting human behavior and lifestyles to achieve the harmonious
co-existence of humans and nature, thereby shifting the focus from an anthropo-
centric worldview to one that emphasizes a balance between ecology and
mankind's needs. The nation that achieves co-existence with nature the earliest
will take the lead in the moral and cultural ground. From a time and spatial point of
view, mankind's attention to environmental and economic issues was once limited
to a regional scope and a short time period. Climate change will further expand the
impact into a global issue with a long-term effect that will span centuries.
The issue of climate change will adjust the socioeconomic development
pattern and human lifestyles. Generally considered to be an environmental
issue, climate change is ultimately a problem of development. Future economic
growth faces the constraints of greenhouse gas emissions. Balancing economic
