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Essay about The Enviromental Challenges China is Facing

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China’s economy has begun to expand over the past years, and has become known for their manufacturing. But at what cost? Between the years 1992 and 2002 ,China’s emission output had risen 33% causing environmental and political problems to arise (Cozier, M. (2006, June 12)). Many of the factories China uses for manufacturing products are run by coal, one of the most dirtiest energy sources available (Cleaner China -- the Asian tiger is striving to curb pollution. (2013, August 31)). Burning coal for electricity releases large amounts of sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide-some of the key elements of acid rain-into the atmosphere (Acid Rain. (2009)). Acid rain and air pollution has become an environmental and political problem for China and …show more content…

China is well known for it’s magnificent mountain scenery, like in Guilin, China; but local factories in Guilin have caused the mountain range to be covered in haze (Henderson, M. G. (2002)). Acid rain doesn’t only fall on the mountains, it also falls on one third of China’s land surface, about half of its cities (Dirty business in China. (2006)). Since acid rain travels, it can damage the forest and aquatic life throughout China (Henderson, M. G. (2002)). A lot of the rainwater enters rivers, lakes, and streams causing the acid rain to enter the soil, creating a loss of plant nutrients and poor food quality for the citizens of China (Middleton, N. (2005, March)). In order to protect the environment and citizens of China, the Chinese government need to introduce new environmental protection laws, which means America may have to slow down trade with China in order to motivate a decision. From an environmental aspect there are mostly pros with this idea. If China slows down their pollution then the environment will be safer and cleaner, and there will be less emission in the atmosphere to contribute to global warming. “A report recently published by state media estimates that China's environmental pollution costs $230 billion per year, or about 3.5 per cent of the country's gross domestic product in 2010” (Cleaner China -- the Asian tiger is striving to curb pollution. (2013, August 31)). Unfortunately, there is a down side to

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