Abstract

With China now at the height of industrialization, it is imperative that steps be taken to resolving the major environmental issues that not only plague the country and its people, but the entire world. China’s ever-growing population has become so substantial that its’ supply of natural resources is at risk, and its high demand for products creating world-wide shortages. Due to the vast amount of people and industry, construction of housing and factories has only added to the extreme pollution that is plaguing the country. China’s reliance on coal for energy has dangerously polluted the air, while improper dumping of factory chemicals has made many of the country’s water sources unsafe for consumption or irrigation. The construction of the Three Gorges Dam has created way more issues than originally anticipated, including the mass displacement of communities, altering of water levels and subsequent climatic changes. Agriculture is such an important aspect of Chinese culture and rural life that the conversion of wetlands has lead to extreme erosion and desertification, and run-off from fertilizers and pesticides has only added to the pollution issue. If drastic changes are not made immediately, it is highly likely that the country’s environmental problems will worsen and farther endanger the world’s economy. The first step is for China to call attention to these issues and raise awareness, hopefully causing a shift in consciousness in the priorities of the people. China’s entire belief system is based on the concept of virtuosity and connectivity with nature, which is why the people should return to the basic foundations and meaning behind their culture in order to help correct the damage that has taken place thus far.