Introduction to Environmental Challenges in China
A metal teapot sits on a small coal stove in a Chinese home.
Through an overview of some of the environmental challenges facing the growing and evolving country of China today, students learn about the effects of indoor and outdoor air pollution that China is struggling to curb with the help of engineers and scientists. This includes the sources of particulate matter 2.5 and carbon dioxide, and air pollution impacts on the health of people and the environment.
Some environmental engineers focus their work on helping people obtain access to clean water, sanitation and clean air. China's rapid growth puts a lot of pressure on the nation to meet its energy demands. Engineers are trying to find ways to increase energy efficiency measures and the amount of renewable energy availability. The hope is to reduce environmental and air pollution levels with efforts that reduce energy consumption and use cleaner sources of energy.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- List two negative effects of outdoor air pollution (acid rain, ozone depletion, global warming, climate change).
- List two negative effects of indoor air pollution (acute respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, possibly cataracts and low birth-weight).
- List two major pollutants environmental engineers are concerned about (CO2 and PM2.5).