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