Energy and Environment

Pollution

  • China
    The River Runs Black
    In this book, CFR Senior Fellow Elizabeth C. Economy uses historical research, case studies, and interviews with officials, scholars, and activists in China to provide insightful analysis of the economic and political roots of China’s environmental challenge as well as the evolution of the leadership’s response. Teaching notes by the author.
    Teaching Notes July 1, 2010
  • China
    Spotlight on China: The Olympics
    The increased international attention on China brought by the upcoming summer Olympics has fueled foreign demonstrations against China's political, environmental, and humanitarian policies, prompted a Chinese nationalist surge, and helped broadcast last month's tragic earthquake around the world. Join Kenneth Lieberthal and Tom Malinowski to discuss Beijing's reactions to the Olympic spotlight and the implications for China's domestic and foreign policies.
    Event with Kenneth G. Lieberthal, Sophie Richardson and Harry Harding June 17, 2008
  • Pollution
    Innovator and Pariah: The United States and Clean Air Legislation
    Despite foot-dragging on climate change, the United States has a strong history of environmental legislation, which could provide models for future greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
    Backgrounder by Andrew Hansen April 3, 2007
  • Pollution
    World Bank Taking More Nimble Approach to Development
    The official overseeing the World Bank’s huge sustainable development division downplays concerns that environmental issues have been suppressed in a new push for infrastructure projects.
    Interview with Katherine Sierra and Robert McMahon April 2, 2007
  • China
    The River Runs Black
    Selected by the Globalist as one of the top ten books of 2004, The River Runs Black is the most comprehensive and balanced volume to date on China's growing environmental crisis and its implications for the country's development. Based on historical research, case studies, and interviews with officials, scholars, and activists in China, this book provides insightful analysis of the economic and political roots of China's environmental challenge as well as the evolution of the leadership's response. China's spectacular economic growth over the past two decades has dramatically depleted the country's natural resources and produced skyrocketing rates of pollution. Environmental degradation has also contributed to significant public health problems, mass migration, economic loss, and social unrest. Elizabeth C. Economy argues that China's approach to environmental protection mirrors its economic development program: devolving authority to local officials, opening the door to private individuals, and inviting participation from the international community, while retaining only weak central control. The result has been a patchwork of environmental protection in which a few wealthy regions with strong leaders and international ties improve their local conditions, while most of the country continues to deteriorate, and some regions suffer irrevocable damage. Economy examines the growing role of nongovernmental groups in protecting the environment and expanding the boundaries of political action, and she sketches out several environmental scenarios for the country. A Council on Foreign Relations Book
    Book by Elizabeth C. Economy April 7, 2004 Asia Program