| Nobel Peace Prize co-winner Al Gore needs to | | | | requires three major ingredients. |
| rename his famous $40 million powerpoint presentation | | | | The first, and by far most important, is a major change |
| to "The Inconvenient Truth about China". | | | | in thinking on the part of the Chinese leadership. Of all |
| While the media and policy establishment are | | | | people, I am a believer in economic growth but it has to |
| preoccupied with global warming issues that may have | | | | be balanced against damage to the environment. For |
| important consequences in 50 years or may be vastly | | | | the most part, Chinese environmental laws and |
| overstated, an environmental disaster exists in China | | | | regulations are already on the books, they just need to |
| right now. This significant challenge, however, is also a | | | | be strictly enforced. |
| major opportunity for the Chinese leadership and | | | | This means giving local and regional administrators |
| American business. | | | | more independent authority, something that the |
| To get your attention, below is just a just sampling of | | | | leadership is uncomfortable with given their top down, |
| facts drawn from various sources including an | | | | authoritarian bent. It also requires a change in its |
| excellent article by Elizabeth Economy in Foreign | | | | "economic growth at all costs" attitude. |
| Affairs. | | | | Secondly, cleaning up China's environment will require |
| - China is the world leader in air and water pollution. | | | | big bucks. No problem here in light of huge China's $1.3 |
| - Sixteen of the most polluted cities in the world are in | | | | trillion in foreign exchange reserves. Setting aside $200 |
| China. | | | | billion over the next three to five years should help |
| - According to World Wildlife Fund, China is the largest | | | | enormously. |
| polluter of the Pacific Ocean. | | | | Thirdly, this environmental initiative will require |
| - 2/3 of China's largest 660 cities face a water | | | | technology and expertise. This is where American |
| shortage right now. | | | | business, the global leader in environmental technology, |
| - The EPA estimates that 25% of the particulates | | | | comes into the picture. Congressional pressure on |
| hovering over LA originate in China. | | | | China concerning growing U.S.-China trade deficits is |
| - In converting coal into energy, America is six times | | | | enormous and growing. Giving American firms the lead |
| more efficient than China, Japan is seven times more | | | | in helping China to address environmental issues will |
| efficient and India is three times more efficient. | | | | help the Chinese leadership to show its citizens that it |
| - About 190 million people in China are sick from | | | | is taking concrete action while at the same time |
| contaminated water. | | | | sharply reducing trade tensions and imbalances. |
| - Netherlands' Environmental Agency states that China | | | | The environmental challenge in China is daunting but |
| is the world's largest contributor of CO2. | | | | procrastinating will make it ever the more |
| - A World Bank/China Government joint study | | | | unmanageable. American business is ready to saddle |
| estimates that about 750,000 infants a year face | | | | up and help wherever it can. If all this happens, the |
| premature death due to respiratory disease. | | | | following ETF baskets of American businesses could |
| - Chinese experts believe that only about 10% of | | | | directly benefit if they have the foresight to go after |
| China's environmental laws are consistently enforced. | | | | opportunities in China. |
| Clearly, decisive and immediate action is necessary. It | | | | |