Photograph by: Lynn Johnson, National Geographic May 2008National Geographic May 2008

Balancing Act Photograph by Bob Sacha Balancing Act Photograph by Bob Sacha What are some other Chinese vegetables? What are some other Chinese vegetables? A flat tyre slows the transport of a bok choy tower through the streets of Kunming in Yunnan Province. A flat tyre slows the transport of a bok choy tower through the streets of Kunming in Yunnan Province. Such vegetables—eaten with rice and fish—have traditionally formed the bulk of the Chinese diet. Such vegetables—eaten with rice and fish—have traditionally formed the bulk of the Chinese diet. More demand for meat from people with rising incomes, particularly in urban areas, has resulted in increased livestock farming and livestock feed production. More demand for meat from people with rising incomes, particularly in urban areas, has resulted in increased livestock farming and livestock feed production. Runoff of untreated livestock waste adds to pollution in rivers and lakes. Eating more meat may result in an increase in heart disease and stroke. Runoff of untreated livestock waste adds to pollution in rivers and lakes. Eating more meat may result in an increase in heart disease and stroke.

Smoke Signals Photograph by Bob Sacha China relies on coal for the bulk of its energy. This is a leading source of acid rain and pollution. China relies on coal for the bulk of its energy. This is a leading source of acid rain and pollution. Toxic sulfur dioxide & other air pollutants billow from coal-powered factories like these ironworks in Pianguan. Toxic sulfur dioxide & other air pollutants billow from coal-powered factories like these ironworks in Pianguan. More than 250,000 deaths per year are blamed on pollution. More than 250,000 deaths per year are blamed on pollution.

Cities with China's worst air, as calculated by the government, are mostly in the north, where blowing dust combines with industrial pollutants. Most Chinese live in the east, an area transected by polluted rivers.. Inadequate wastewater treatment and groundwater depletion have led to a national water crisis

What is acid rain? Where does the coal come from? How is it mined? Are there any forms of renewable energy used in China? How does the pollution affect the health of the people? Suggest some ways that China could prevent pollution of their rivers. What will the consequences of running out of fresh water be for a big city in China?

Power to the people This house in Yuan Pu, a remote village in China's northern Qinghai Province, has electricity. About half the homes in the area do not—yet. This house in Yuan Pu, a remote village in China's northern Qinghai Province, has electricity. About half the homes in the area do not—yet. The government of China is spending billions of dollars building and upgrading rural electricity networks. Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power are playing a part in this electrification effort. The U.S. Department of Energy provides assistance through partnerships with its National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Like the wallpaper?

The erosion crisis, traceable back five decades to the agricultural policies of Chairman Mao Zedong, has been exacerbated by years of drought, turning the steppes and plateaus of northwestern China into a dust bowl. The dust storms that blow up each spring can sweep east across the Korean peninsula and Japan, eventually reaching across North America.

Water… Lack of clean fresh water presents a grave threat. Lack of clean fresh water presents a grave threat. Two-thirds of major cities are now seriously short of it. Two-thirds of major cities are now seriously short of it. Up to 700 million people drink water contaminated with human and animal waste at levels that don't come close to the government's minimum standards (also below those of WHO). Up to 700 million people drink water contaminated with human and animal waste at levels that don't come close to the government's minimum standards (also below those of WHO). Most of the 20 billion tons (18 billion metric tons) of raw sewage produced in the cities each year—only 10 percent of which is treated—is dumped straight into rivers and lakes. Most of the 20 billion tons (18 billion metric tons) of raw sewage produced in the cities each year—only 10 percent of which is treated—is dumped straight into rivers and lakes. Peasants who formerly used only human waste (night soil) on their fields now also apply nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers. The nutrient-laden runoff brews thick algae in rivers, lakes, and canals. Peasants who formerly used only human waste (night soil) on their fields now also apply nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers. The nutrient-laden runoff brews thick algae in rivers, lakes, and canals.

Bitter Waters Can China save the Yellow—its Mother River?

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