China has been rapidly using its water supply for industry and production. Cities have also put a strain on the amount of water available. They are tapping into the aquifers, and using unattainable amounts. With the growing population in China, it adds a large strain on the availability of water. Even agriculture has had a large impact on water usage. China is a large producer of grain, and they use large amounts of water for it. The fear of fewer water supplies for grain could trigger world prices to increase. The price increase of food would affect the world market, and it would change it substantially. China is facing the struggle in keeping large amounts of water available for supplying agriculture and its citizens.
I know this is a reliable secondary peer reviewed source since; it comes from the Journal of Environmental Health.
Source: Wang M., Webber M., Finlayson B., and Barnett J. 2008. "Rural industries and water pollution in China". Journal of Environmental Management. 86 (4): 648-659.
This article contains many aspects when it comes to water pollution in China. It begins to discuss how rural industries have growing rapidly in many different regions. It shows that rural industries are less efficient than larger ones in the city. The rural communities use second hand equipment that is less efficient when it comes to wastewater treatment. They are also the main contributors in discharging polluted water into local rivers and lakes. When increasing the pollution in china they are also increasing the disease rate. Mortality rates and health effects on individuals in China have come from the polluted water and its chemicals. It also shows that government water agencies that monitor the rural regions, do not invoke as much pressure to decrease pollution. It is noted that most rural citizens do not take any action when it comes to water pollution. In conclusion China must significantly change practices in rural industries to combat water pollution.
I know this is a reliable peer reviewed source since it comes from the Journal of Environmental management, and it has reliable facts that come from different media sources.
1. Maloney, Clarence. The Maldives: New Stresses in an Old Nation. Asian Survey, Vol. 16, No. 7 (Jul., 1976), pp. 654-671University of California Press.
This ethnography serves as a means of better understanding the culture of the Maldives. It opens by saying that most people have never heard of the Maldives. This is important information related to public awareness of climate issues in that location. This ethnography can be used as a base understanding of a culture. Understanding the culture will help to understand how it will be affected by climate change (specifically sea level rise.) The areas described within the ethnography are cultural identity, the administrative system, the economic system, and the effects of world war two on the cultural climate. The article is based entirely on a visit to The Maldives in 1974 and a further period of study in 1975.
This is a peer-reviewed source as demonstrated on JSTOR, and the PSU library search engine. It was published by an accredited university press (University of California.) ~ Hannah Sorenson
2. Connell, Peter Roy and John. Climatic Change and the Future of Atoll States.Journal of Coastal Research, Vol. 7, No. 4 (Autumn, 1991), pp. 1057-1075
Coastal Education & Research Foundation, Inc.
This paper deals with the severe effects of rising sea levels and climate change on the lowlying coral islands in tropical oceans (specifically the Maldives, the Marshall islands, Kiribati, Tokelau and Tuvalu.) The paper argues that the people of these nations (roughly 300,000 people) will become the first refugees of the greenhouse era. It discusses changes economically as well as ecologically. It also discusses the issues these nations face with population growth in congruence with the decline of natural resources and the aspiration for better living in a time when the terms of trade are worsening.
This is a peer-reviewed source as demonstrated on JSTOR, and the PSU library search engine. It was published in an accredited journal of coastal research (Journal of Coastal Research.) ~Hannah Sorenson
3. Robert B. Jackson, Stephen R. Carpenter, Clifford N. Dahm, Diane M. McKnight, Robert J. Naiman, Sandra L. Postel and Steven W. Running Water in a Changing World.Ecological Applications
Vol. 11, No. 4 (Aug., 2001), pp. 1027-1045. Published by: Ecological Society of America
This article discusses the issue of water shortages in the coming decades. It talks about how fresh water is a tiny fraction of the water on the planet, but is still the foundation for life in “terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.” It argues that unless the management of water changes soon, the imbalance of accessible runoff and population growth is likely going to reduce freshwater ecosystem services, increase the number of aquatic species and further fragment wetlands, rivers, deltas and estuaries. It warns that climate change will severely change the hydrological cycle, making every bit of it more extreme.
This is a peer-reviewed source as demonstrated on JSTOR, and the PSU library search engine. It was published by the Ecological Society of America. ~Hannah Sorenson
4. Pearce, Fred. When the Rivers Run Dry (Boston: Beacon Press, 2006)
Fred Pearce’s text has a lot of information when it comes to water, and China. It provides a clear explanation on what it happening in the world with water, and also explaining China’s role. He is showing that water is globally disappearing, and many of our methods used are causing it to occur. Such as tapping into reservoirs, and building dams that cause floods and disrupt eco systems. It is very significant when it comes to China since in the text he clearly explains how China is being impacted with water. He shows that their rapidly growing population is using up most of the water. In China they have different water regions, which cause the sources of water getting to be spread out. Also a clear explanation is given about how China uses underground water for agricultural use (pg.57). Even we are shown that they have the world’s largest hydroelectric dam which causes controversy to some (pg .181). In conclusion this text is a great source to find information about how water is impacting China, and the Asian region.
This is a reliable peer-reviewed tertiary source. It explains how rivers are disappearing and what role China plays in it. Also it gives us a perspective of what is happening from a journalistic approach with experiences and knowledge about regions in the world from Fred Pearce.
~Musa Kanso
5. Cheng H, Y Hu, and J Zhao. 2009. "Meeting China's water shortage crisis: current practices and challenges". Environmental Science & Technology. 43 (2): 240-4.
China faces many different issues when it comes to water availability. This article shows the current practices that China is taking and the challenges when it comes to conserving and using water. China faces water shortages in many different regions of the country, and part of the task they face is the distribution to different areas. This article is significant since it shows alternatives to meet water demand in China. It explains each alternative, as well as describing the pros and cons of them. The main initiative to overcome water shortages would be to regulate water usage in industrial and agricultural areas. Having a plan, and a quota for the amount used in certain regions conserves water. Also China must maintain ecosystems and pollution in order to keep their resources clean and healthy. This source explains how water shortages can be overcome, while taking into account the environment and sustainable practices.
This is a reliable peer reviewed secondary source since it comes from the Environmental Science and Technology. I know it is a reliable source since two of the authors are professors at a University, and the third author is a research data analyst at Stanford University. ~Musa Kanso
6. Kim, Margret J, and Robert E Jones. 2008. "China: Climate Change Superpower and the Clean Technology Revolution". Natural Resources & Environment. 22 (3): 9
China has surpassed the United States in being the largest emitter of carbon dioxide. Their rapid production, and coal burning plants have caused this large spike in emissions. These effects on the environment certainly create a concern for climate change. In parts of the region, glaciers have melted 20 percent. This causes a shortage on water resources. Also agriculture in China has been impacted by the climate. They have faced droughts, which have caused changes in food production. Although these areas are affected by climate change, China has been taking action in solving the problem. They are investing in clean energy and spending about 200 billion in the next 15 years. They are the largest producer of solar panels, and they have become efficient when using wind turbines in farming projects. In conclusion China will not stop in production and economic growth to reduce emissions. They are planning to continue with their trends, and invest in clean energy.
This is a reliable peer-reviewed secondary source because it provides a great amount of information on climate change occurring in China. It also shows the current resolutions to combat climate change.
~Musa Kanso
7. Video: Morris, Chris. BBC NEWS | South Asia | How Sea Level Rise Has Affected the Maldives. BBC News - Home. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7945877.stm>.
This video demonstrates the severe nature of the threat of sea level rise in the Maldives. It discusses how one of the islands or “atols” will virtually disappear in the next 20 years. It also discusses the fact that the country of the Maldives may not be able to inhabit their own land in the coming years, they are already looking at purchasing land in Sri Lanka and India, which would have devastating effects upon their culture.
This is a media source from BBC news (online) in video form. ~Hannah Sorenson
8. Tih-Fen Ting, Shifts in Reproductive Patterns in China
This article discusses reproductive changes in China due to policy decisions in Heibei, Shaanxi, and Shanghai. It emphasises that the same trend is seen in all of these locations, in spite of their differing geographic, ecological and economic characteristics. It discusses the “Great Leap Forward” and the subsequent famine, which created higher birth deficits and mortality among the rural populations of Hebei and Shaanxi while the family planning and “Cultural Revolution” caused lower fertility in the more urban Shanghi.
This is a peer-reviewed source as demonstrated on JSTOR, and the PSU library search engine. ~Hannah Sorenson
9. Ministerial Declaration: Message from the Lake Biwa and Yodo River Basin, 23 March 2003, 3rd World Water Forum A/57/785
This is a UN policy document that was used in Japan in March, 2003 at the 3rd World Water Forum. It details water’s importance, particularly in sustainable development, then goes on to discuss the financial changes necessary to provide water to 3rd world nations. This document includes the following sections: General Policy, Water Resources Management and Benefit Sharing, Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation, Water for Food and Rural Development, Water Pollution Prevention and Ecosystem Conservation and Disaster Mitigation and Risk Management.
Though not peer-reviewed, this is a reliable policy document that conveys important information regarding water safety and availability.
~Hannah Sorenson
10. Shen, Jianfa The Geographical Journal: China's Future Population and Development Challenges (Blackwell Publishing, The Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers Vol. 164, No. 1, Mar., 1998).
This journal takes statistics and facts from the last 4 decades and uses them to draw out the effects of rapid population growth and gives a picture of what we should be expecting to see if the constant rate remains the same. It goes into detail about how China's overpopulation will, and has already added to the mass depletion of the worlds resources.
This source is a reliable one, that has been peer reviewed. It comes from The Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers. This center for world research has been a reputable source since 1830.
