Synopses & Reviews
Environmental issues are of growing concern in China, with numerous initiatives aimed at encouraging dialogue and increasing awareness. And key to these initiatives is the environmental journalist. The first English-language study of this burgeoning field, this book investigates Chinese environmental journalistsandmdash;their methodologies, their attitudes toward the environment, and their views on the significance of their workandmdash;and concludes that most respond enthusiastically to government promptings to report on the environment and climate change. Additional chapters demonstrate journalistsandrsquo; impact in helping to shape governmental decision making.
Review
"Chinaand#8217;s Environment and Chinaand#8217;s Environment Journalists: A Studyand#160;provides insight into how journalists report on environmental issues in China and the challenges that they face while doing so."
Synopsis
China has a population of 1.3 billion people, which puts strain on her natural resources. This volume, by one of the leading scholars on the earth's biosphere, is the result of a lifetime of study on China, and provides the fullest account yet of the environmental challenges that China faces.
The author examines China's energy resources, their uses, impacts and prospects, from the 1970s oil-crisis to the present day, before analyzing the key question of how China can best produce enough food to feed its enormous population. In answering this question the entire food chain- the environmental setting, post harvest losses, food processing, access to food and actual nutritional requirements - is examined, as well as the most effective methods of agricultural management. The final chapters focus upon the dramatic cost to the country's environment caused by China's rapid industrialization. Widespread environmental problems discussed include:
Water and air pollution
Water shortage
Soil erosion
Deforestation
Desertification
Loss of biodiversity
In conclusion, Smil argues that the decline of the Chinese ecosystem and environmental pollution has cost China about ten per cent of her annual GDP.
This book provides the best available synthesis on the environmental consequences of China's economic reform program and will prove essential reading to scholars with an interest in China and the environment.
Synopsis
China has a population of 1.3 billion people which puts strain on her natural resources. This volume, by one of the leading scholars on the earth's biosphere, is the result of a lifetime of study, and provides the fullest account yet of the environmental challenges that China faces. The author examines China's energy resources, their uses, impacts and prospects, from the 1970s oil crisis to the present day, before analysing the key question of how China can best produce enough food to feed its enormous population.
About the Author
Hugo de Burgh is professor and director at the China Media Centre at the University of Westminster.Zeng Rong is a postdoctoral research fellow at the China Media Centre at the University of Westminster.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1: Contents
and#160;and#160;and#160; Origins of this book
and#160;and#160;and#160; Chinaand#8217;s media today
and#160;and#160;and#160; Method and acknowledgments
Chapter 2: Chinaand#8217;s Environmental Governance
and#160;and#160;and#160; Environmental issues: Overview
and#160;and#160;and#160; The system of managing the Chinese environment
and#160;and#160;and#160; Principles of environmental governance
and#160;and#160;and#160; Issues
and#160;and#160;and#160; The localisation of power
and#160;and#160;and#160; Citizen involvement with compliance
and#160;and#160;and#160; Effects of the Internet
and#160;and#160;and#160; NGOS and what journalists think of them
and#160;and#160;and#160; The influence of globalisation
and#160;and#160;and#160; The rule of law
and#160;and#160;and#160; The right to know
and#160;and#160;and#160; External assessments
Chapter 3: Findings
and#160;and#160;and#160; Reporting the environment: the current situation
and#160;and#160;and#160; What are the deficiencies in reporting?
and#160;and#160;and#160; Range of stories and main themes
and#160;and#160;and#160; How reporters work
and#160;and#160;and#160; Media influence on environmental issues
and#160;and#160;and#160; Stories unpublished and what they tell us
and#160;and#160;and#160; Whence do journalists get their stories?
and#160;and#160;and#160; Obstacles to reporting and publication
and#160;and#160;and#160; Reportersand#8217; solutions
and#160;and#160;and#160; Recent developments
Chapter 4: Illustrative Cases
and#160;and#160;and#160; The South China Sea
and#160;and#160;and#160; Xinand#8217;an area water resource development
and#160;and#160;and#160; The Round Bright Garden
and#160;and#160;and#160; The Tiger Leaping Gorge
and#160;and#160;and#160; The Tibetan antelope
and#160;and#160;and#160; Cantonand#8217;s ambient haze
and#160;and#160;and#160; The Songhua River story
and#160;and#160;and#160; The Xiamen chemical factory
and#160;and#160;and#160; The Nu River
and#160;and#160;and#160; The Three Gorges Dam (Dai, 1989: 6)
and#160;and#160;and#160; The Sanlu milk powder case
and#160;and#160;and#160; Lake Tai and Mr Wu Lihong
Chapter 5: Recommendations
and#160;and#160;and#160; Policy-makers and lobbyists in the environmental field
and#160;and#160;and#160; Environmental awareness among media managers
and#160;and#160;and#160; Decision makers in the Chinese media community
and#160;and#160;and#160; Developing competencies in-house
and#160;and#160;and#160; Media departments in educational establishments
and#160;and#160;and#160; Relevant Chinese authorities
and#160;and#160;and#160; International media development actors
Chapter 6: Conclusion
Bibliography and References
Glossary
The Authors