China: Zone for sustainable development


A cluster of cities in central China has been designated the country's latest experimental zone, this one for energy saving and environmentally friendly programmes, according to Reuters:

China has a history of marking out zones for preferential policies which, if successful, are then rolled out across the country. Its most famous were the "special economic zones" of the south which launched the country's market reforms 30 years ago.

Now the Hunan cities of Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan -- late chairman Mao Zedong's hometown -- as well as the Hubei capital of Wuhan, will be targeted to lead China's drive to make its breakneck economic growth more environmentally sustainable.

The cities must "as quickly as possible form systems and mechanisms beneficial to energy saving and environmental and ecological protection", the People's Daily cited a notice from the National Development and Reform Commission as saying.

Hunan governor Zhou Qiang said the three cities there were chosen because they were part of China's industrial heartland and a lack of resources and environmental pollution have impeded their development.

I am impressed that these cities are taking the lead to become more environmentally friendly. Let's hope they back it up with policy moves and education. When the kids learn about environmental issues, they often start telling their parents what is ok and what is not ok. And the parents might not always like the advice they are getting from the kids... But if you don't talk about it with the kids, what is the real meaning of "sustainable"? After all, it is their future that is at stake.

Comments

Pandabonium said…
I wish them success. After all, it is pretty ironic that a special zone is needed in which humans and other life can go on living for a long period of time relative to the life span of a human (the very definition of sustainability). Should not the entire planet be so? Are the people outside the "zone" expendable? Interesting times.
10:05 pm, December 20, 2007
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