China's Environmental Crisis: An Enquiry Into the Limits of National Development : An Enquiry Into the Limits of National Development

In 1982, Vaclav Smil turned upside down traditional perceptions of China as a green paradise in "The Bad Earth", a disturbing book. This new volume, drawn on a much broader canvas, updates and expands on the basic arguments and perceptions of "The Bad Earth". This book is not a systematic litany of what went wrong and how much - but rather an inquiry into the fundamental factors, needs, prospects, and limits of modern Chinese society, all seen through the critical environmental constraints and impacts. China Impressions -- China's Environment -- 1. People's Mouths. How Do People Matter? Growing To A Billion. Recent Countercurrents. Coming Generations -- 2. Existential Necessities. Yin-yang Of Waters. Changing Farmland. Forests, Grasslands, Wetlands -- 3. China's Modernization. Wealth And Prosperity. Quality Of Life. Eating Better. Living Longer. Learning More. Feeling Richer -- 4. Energizing The Advances. Energy For The Countryside. Land, Water, And Energy. Air Pollution. Future Needs. Generation Of Co[subscript 2] -- 5. Growing Food. Managing The Land. Irrigating The Fields. Fertilizing The Crops. Farming Without Excess -- 6. Living With The Limits. Realities And Aspirations. Adaptations And Uncertain Prospects. Vaclav Smil. An East Gate Book. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. In 1982, Vaclav Smil turned upside down traditional perceptions of China as a green paradise in "The Bad Earth". Updating and expanding its basic arguments and perceptions, this volume is an inquiry into the fundamental factors, needs, prospects, and limits of modern Chinese society.