In recent years, the Chinese government has realized that the long-term sustainability of their economies and societies is closely linked to the state of its environment. Recognizing this, the governments have increasingly geared their policy towards “sustainable development”.
While this is true, the Chinese government’s attitude towards environmental protection remains to be that of “wait and see”. Opportunities of remedying the disastrous effects of decades of unregulated industrialization are being lost, again and again, as the government sits back and allow local officials to take bribes from factory owners to overlook their egregious actions.
Grassroots organizations in China can only do so much to effect change because of its political climate. Thus, there is need for the international organizations and governments to lobby for China to take a more active role in protecting its environment.
A great example of this is the Loess Plateau (featured in John Liu’s documentary, Hope in a Changing Climate, that I watched last month), China was able to transform an arid wasteland with an area equivalent to the size of France, that had been the victim of over farming, to an area full of lush vegetation. This was done possible with the help of the World Bank and other environmental organizations.
The Loess Plateau’s transformation is a model for soil scientists seeking to rehabilitate areas ravaged by over farming and deforestation. However, foreign governments and international organizations should also learn from the Loess Plateau and use it as a model for cooperation with China.
In dealing with China, international organizations and foreign governments need to be sensitive to the nationalistic sentiments of the Chinese government, that is highly protective of actions it deems to be intrusions of its sovereignty. They need to provide assistance and guidance, but not dictate or pontificate to China “what you need to do”.
China is a budding nation trying to find its place on the world’s stage—flirting with the idea of international leadership. Give China opportunities of leadership and let them shine. Only through soft-handed dealings and gentle coaxing will an international agreement on climate change be made with China.
This was something that I wrote quickly for a friend working at Klimaforum 09 in Copenhagen who needed input on grassroots views on China and climate change. An article written by her can be read here.
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