IEAS - Institute of East Asian Studies, UC Berkeley

IEAS Book Series: New Perspectives on East Asia

"Elizabeth Economy, The River Runs Black: The Environmental Challenge to China's Future"

DATE:Wednesday, October 20, 2004
TIME:5:00-6:00 p.m. Lecture
6:00 p.m. Reception and Book Signing
PLACE:IEAS Conference Room, 2223 Fulton St., 6th Floor
FORMAT:Lecture and book signing
SPONSOR:Institute of East Asian Studies
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Throughout the past two decades, China has pursued development at a blinding pace - often to the detriment of its natural environment. Rapid economic growth has depleted the country's resources; produced skyrocketing rates of pollution; and contributed to significant public health problems, mass migrations, economic losses and social unrest. The central government's inability to cope with this looming crisis has created space for non-governmental organizations, media outlets and ordinary citizens to take action. In Eastern Europe and elsewhere in Asia, such participation in environmental protection efforts has often preceded grassroots democracy movements. In The River Runs Black, Dr. Elizabeth Economy identifies China's intensifying environmental challenges and their impact on the development of civil society and the potential for genuine political reform.

Other programs in the IEAS Book Series: New Perspectives on East Asia.

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