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Summary prepared by: Katy Schoel, Lisa Boeckman, Josh Sierren, and Ryan SchmittSUMMARY:
China has an enormous and rapidly increasing population. Their economy is growing, so they now have more purchasing power than ever before. These factors will undoubtedly impact world energy and food consumption in the near future.
ENERGY:
China has a large coal supply which they utilize, but it still pollutes, even with a low sulpher content. They are also starting to rely more and more on imported oil as a source of energy. Alternative sources of energy, such as hydroelectric power, nuclear, wind and solar, have not been explored to their full potential. In some heavily industrialized areas in China, pollution concentrations are predicted to be twice as bad as the worst-polluted areas of Central and Eastern Europe. Reported rainfall acidity has been more acidic than a tomato and approaches the pH of pure vinegar. Much of this is due to sulpher from the burning of coal. Ozone and other airborn pollutants will cause additional stress to the environment.
FOOD:
The expanding population of China requires the provision of food to a lot of people, possibly more than the farmable land of the country support. Farmers are needing to use more fertilizers and chemicals than ever before. Rice and wheat are the major crops in China. Yields of rice have increased in past decades, but yeild growth has slowed. Climate modeling predicts that agricultural production could increase in Northeast China with global warming, but it is expected to decrease due to higher evaperation rates in the East.
Another ag issue in China is the loss of farmland due to urban sprawl. Some of the major rivers are so polluted they aren't even fit for irrigation purposes anymore. Chinese are also consuming more red meat than ever before. Meat isn't as efficient at converting grain energy to weight gain as poultry or fish, tradition Chinese staple. This could put a severe strain on world grain stores and agriculture in general.
DIALOG:
One problem stated in dialogue by Daniel Pollock, was the lack of funds and the teetering economy of China.
Current strain on the US and China relationship due to the plane crash of the US spy plane into a Chinese fighter jet, has not helped things either.
China has the 10th highest p[otential for hydroelectric power in the world. This was not mentioned in the discussion summary, but energy for a high populated country would ensure the country's future. THe following websites were referenced.
Hydroelectric Power
China, Asia's largest hydroelectric power plant
Vision Engineer- Hydroelectric PowerChina's food security is a big concern if the Chinese would change their diets. It would create agricultural chaos. But there are other factors that would lead to change with China's food security.
1. population growth
2. urbanization
3. size and quality of arable
land 4. supply of water
5. policies and economic arrangement
6. scientific and technological developments.Usable water supplies are also a concern.
Definition of scarcity is when the availability of water drops below 1000m3/person/yr (2740 l/person/yr)
- While China only ~ 1100 liter/person /day are with drawn for all purposes-
Equaling º of the amount used in US! (Zhang 1990).This website contains a number of links as well as current information about China's environment and what is being done to help it.
Also mentioned was the need for China to have a stronger government to enforce good economic programs. Several interesting articles on China's government and economy.
The US vision of China's future concerning changing their government to a democracy is not necessarily the answer would only amplify the fact that the US knows nothing about China.
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