China’s environmental issues are continuing to escalate as their economic machine grows to enormity. Unfortunately, where there is growth, there is waste and China is great at waste. What they are not great at, is controlling waste, namely in the form of pollution. China is now home to 16 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities (Council on Foreign Affairs, Sept 2007).
The 2008 Olympics are placing the failures of China center stage. Numerous reports are dogging Chinese Officials and Party Representatives. There are the never ending stories of human rights abuse and now China’s infamous pollution issues and the lack of attention to same has surfaced in the media.
The attention has caused the government to attempt to clean up Beijing at least while the Olympics are in town. They are forcing many businesses and factories to close if they produce environmental hazards, especially in regard to air quality. They have also started a campaign to plant greenery and trees along the streets of the city. Will these measures last after the Olympics have come and gone? Will China ever get past corruption and start enforcing the environmental laws that are actually applicable to China, but not equally enforced across the land? Laws and regulations that are not enforced due to local government corruption that hides behind Party membership and conceals the ill gains from the Central Government in Beijing. Time will tell.
The Olympics are placing serious pressure on the government to literally clean up its act.
Friday, February 29, 2008
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1 comment:
I agree, Kevin. The flood of international visitors for the 2008 Olympics will throw a spotlight on Beijing's "greening" efforts. I personally don't think that many long distance running records will be set at these Games, but I hope that I'm proven wrong on this point!
Good blog posts.
Jamie
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