1. Environmental Issues in East Asia
March 2, 2015

2. The Yangtze River
The Yangtze River flows 4000 miles from the northwestern part of China into the East China Sea
It passes through over 185 towns where it provides a water source for almost 400 million people
The Chinese use the Yangtze for drinking water, irrigation for their fields, and a water supply for their industries
The Yangtze is highly polluted, however, for many reasons

3. Causes of Pollution in the Yangtze River
Sewage dumped into the river
Chemicals from fertilizer
Industrial waste
Acid rain
The 2 biggest pollutants of the river are fertilizers and industrial waste

4. Risks of water pollution in China
The Yangtze pollution puts all of the cities along its banks at risk
Many species of plants and animals are disappearing
Fish that are contaminated by pollutants are caught and eaten by people which causes them to become sick
Other fish are dying because algae is growing in the water

5. Three Gorges Dam
The massive Three Gorges Dam is being built along the Yangtze River to provide hydroelectric power to people who do not have electricity
Hydroelectric power: electricity generated by water
However, the project is causing problems with the environment
A number of plant and animal species are now facing extinction because of the dam
It is also being built in an area that is prone to earthquakes

6. Trying to clean up the Yangtze
China is taking steps to try and clean up the river
They are building more water treatment facilities to remove pollutants from the water
People who live in cities along the river are being encouraged to dump their waste into landfills instead of the river

7. Air Pollution in China
Air pollution is one of China’s most serious environmental problems
Beijing, China’s capital, experiences some of the heaviest air pollution in the world
There are many different causes of air pollution

8. Causes of air pollution in China
Exhaust from cars and trucks
Industrial smoke from factories
Burning coal for a source of energy, which puts tons of ash and chemicals into the air

9. Acid Rain Air pollution also contributes to acid rain
Acid rain occurs when chemicals in the air fall to the ground in the form of rain
These chemicals mostly come from burning coal
This is a problem for at least 1/3 of the farms in China
Acid rain is harmful to plants, animals, buildings, and water supplies (rivers)

10. Trying to stop air pollution
The Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau was established in 2006 to work on the quality of the air
Automobile traffic was reduced and some factories were temporarily closed
This helped reduce air pollutants by as much as 45%
However, respiratory and heart diseases caused by air pollution are still the leading cause of death in China

11. Questions 1. What do the Chinese use the Yangtze River for?
2. What are 4 causes of water pollution in the Yangtze River?
3. What is happening to plants and animals as a result of water pollution?
4. How can fish in China make a person sick?
5. What is the name of the dam being built over the Yangtze?
6. What is the purpose of the dam?
7. What are 2 problems that are happening because of the dam?

12. More Questions
8. What are 2 ways that China is trying to clean up the Yangtze?
9. Which part of China experiences some of the heaviest air pollution in the world?
10. What are 3 causes of air pollution in China?
11. When does acid rain occur?
12. What is harmed because of acid rain?
13. What are 2 ways that China is trying to fix the air pollution problem?
14. What is the leading cause of death in China?