Resource Management - Abstract

Abstract

China’s economical boom is being felt worldwide. The impact of coal mining and burning on the environment is felt at a global level. Burning coal releases a green house gas, carbon dioxide. Coal is a nonrenewable source of energy that the perfect condition, and millions of years to create. Burning coal releases many harmful chemicals, like uranium, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and even mercury. These harmful chemicals can affect the local eco systems; they can make the living environment for locals unhealthy and even deadly, the number of cases. Not only is it impacting the international environment, it has devastated the people and ecosystems of China’s country side. Florosis, lung cancer, stroke, and many more plague the coal mine workers and the local population of the coal mines and plants. If China does adapt to a renewable energy source, then a few good things could outcome, first china’s country sides population would be healthier and happier, instead of having to lay off thousands of coal miners, train them to install new sources of energy, moving the work force and educating their people, China would also be a role model for surrounding nations like India, Japan, and Korea. China’s source of energy is coal, 66% of their energy comes from coal. Burning coal is releasing green house gas into the atmosphere which not only affects China, but the whole world. China’s economical boom is affecting the health of its country side population, and is leaving irreversible damage to the ecosystem. I plan to write letters to the U.N. specifically the Division for Sustainable Development. There are countless articles about China and its energy source coal. Each article varies, but they all say that China’s addiction to coal needs to change. I tried to look for articles that where unbiased or had authors with a good background. Many of the articles I found talked about the danger of burning coal, but also mentioned the economical boom China is having and how it is able to create a higher standard of living for its citizens. My solution for China is to have leading renewable energy countries like Norway and Switzerland help China convert to alternative sources of energy. Have Norway and Switzerland work with China to create a plan of action and how they can use the resources available to build new sources of energy that wont pollute their country and help their citizens live happier and healthier lives. If China does make the conversion it will influence surrounding nations like India, Korea and Japan to do the same. If a nation as big and powerful as China can convert, then other nations around the world will see the potential in renewable energy sources. The more nations the convert the more of an influence renewable energy will have on other nations.