Carrying Capacity of China’s Resources, Environment, Population, and Economy


Book Description

This book systematically examines the progression of carrying capacity research and its correlation with sustainable development, constructing a new framework of interactive theory and application methods within the context of sustainable development. Additionally, it links carrying capacity theory and methods with the unique challenges faced by China in achieving sustainable development. The book delves into the implementation of sustainable development strategies tailored to China’s specific circumstances. In practical research, the book conducts comprehensive calculations and analyses of the carrying capacity of various regions in China from resource, environmental, and economic perspectives. It employs various analytical approaches to elucidate and investigate three key issues in China’s current development landscape: regional functional planning, urban-rural coordinated development, and the transformation of economic growth models. The book is intended to unveil more efficacious solutions, pathways, and measures to address these challenges.







Chinese Perspectives on the Environment and Sustainable Development


Book Description

With China’s rapid growth over the past several decades, the detrimental effects of industrial growth on the environment have become ever more apparent. In this collection of articles from some of China’s most distinguished political scientist, economist, and environmentalist, we find the emerging debate on environmentalism unfolding as Chinese try to find their own way. At the core of these concerns is a debate on balancing the needs of economic development with responsibilities to the planet, and the degree to which that responsibility applies to China as a developing country. These articles seek to illustrate broader principles for environmental policies and international support, as well as more specific projects in China that have been tested and those that have failed.




China's Sustainable Use of Natural Resources


Book Description

This book examines China’s resource endowment and the country’s current exploitation and use of resources and analyzes the main challenges and potential opportunities facing the country. It then discusses how to improve the efficiency with which resources are used by taking a ‘full-life-cycle’ approach to resource use. After summing up the evolution of China’s policies and systems relating to resources and the environment, this book goes on to study how China’s participation in global resource allocation and global resource governance has progressed under its open-economy situation, as well as challenges facing that participation. Based on all these analysis, the report proposes two targets for managing the total quantities of two specific metrics. That is, it recommends aiming to reach peak consumption of resources and peak emission of pollutants by 2030. In addition, it makes a number of specific policy recommendations. The China Development Research Foundation (CDRF) is a public foundation initiated by the Development Research Center of the State Council (DRC). Its mission is to advance good governance and public policy to promote economic development and social progress. The Foundation has approached its mandate in a number of ways, including support for evidence-based policy research, leadership training, high-level forums and symposiums to promote economic cooperation and development, and the promotion of responsible public policy. As China continues to move steadily ahead with policy reforms and investments for more inclusive development, the demands for research, transparent and accountable processes, and citizenship engagement are expanding. The Foundation is striving to meet these challenges and to coordinate policy research work which supports the work of government, civil society and enterprises in furthering equitable development in China.




The River Runs Black


Book Description

China's spectacular economic growth over the past two decades has dramatically depleted the country's natural resources and produced skyrocketing rates of pollution. Environmental degradation in China has also contributed to significant public health problems, mass migration, economic loss, and social unrest. In The River Runs Black, Elizabeth C. Economy examines China's growing environmental crisis and its implications for the country's future development. Drawing on historical research, case studies, and interviews with officials, scholars, and activists in China, the author traces the economic and political roots of China's environmental challenge and the evolution of the leadership's response. She argues that China's current approach to environmental protection mirrors the one embraced for economic development: devolving authority to local officials, opening the door to private actors, and inviting participation from the international community, while retaining only weak central control. The result has been a patchwork of environmental protection in which a few wealthy regions with strong leaders and international ties improve their local environments, while most of the country continues to deteriorate, sometimes suffering irrevocable damage. Economy compares China's response with the experience of other societies and sketches out several possible futures for the country. This second edition is updated with information about events during the past five years, covering China's tumultuous transformation of its economy and its landscape as it deals with the political implications of this behavior as viewed by an international community ever more concerned about climate change and dwindling energy resources.







Chinese Economic Development and the Environment


Book Description

The authors are to be congratulated for a book that provides a comprehensive and vigorous analysis of many pressing environmental issues which China faces now and will face in the future. The book will be of interest to a broad audience, and is a must-read for and should be on the book shelf of anyone concerned about and attempting to understand environmental issues related to agriculture, water, industry, energy production and use, investment and development in China. Zhongxiang Zhang, The China Journal Over the past two decades, China has become an economic powerhouse. However, as the world s largest producer of CO2 emissions, the scale and seriousness of China s environmental problems are clearly evident. This pioneering book provides an economic analysis of the significant environmental and energy problems facing China in the 21st century. Chinese Economic Development and the Environment measures productivity, taking into account energy resources and environmental attributes that are central to sustaining economies. Applying an integrated model of energy production, transformation and consumption processes, the authors investigate the underlying driving forces behind trends in CO2 emissions in relation to the total primary energy supply. Exploring the history and development of China s economic, energy and environmental policy, this book will strongly appeal to postgraduate students in economics and environmental studies. It will also be beneficial for practitioners and policy-makers interested in understanding how successful market and environmental policies can contribute to efficiency by encouraging, rather than inhibiting, technological innovation.




Report on Development of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei Province (2013)


Book Description

This book mainly focuses on the status, trends and countermeasures of carrying capacity in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei metropolitan region. It presents the results a comprehensive survey and systematic research on the carrying capacity of this region and its mega-cities, conducted in the hope of providing decision-making support for the governments of this region. The primary goals are to be able to actively respond to the new challenges of global climate changes and environmental resource constraints; fully practice green development concepts; and actively promote transformation in the development of the population, resources, environment, economics, society and ecology in this region.




The River Runs Black


Book Description

"China's spectacular economic growth over the past two decades has dramatically depleted the country's natural resources and produced skyrocketing rates of pollution. Environmental degradation in China has also contributed to significant public health problems, mass migration, economic loss, and social unrest. In The River Runs Black, Elizabeth C. Economy examines China's growing environmental crisis and its implications for the country's future development." "Drawing on historical research, case studies, and interviews with officials, scholars, and activists in China, Economy traces the economic and political roots of China's environmental challenge and the evolution of the leadership's response. She argues that China's current approach to environmental protection mirrors the one embraced for economic development: devolving authority to local officials, opening the door to private actors, and inviting participation from the international community, while retaining only weak central control. The result has been a patchwork of environmental protection in which a few wealthy regions with strong leaders and international ties improve their local environments, while most of the country continues to deteriorate, sometimes suffering irrevocable damage. Economy compares China's response with the experience of other societies and sketches out several possible futures for the country."--BOOK JACKET.