Louise Poliquin
\nWashington International School<\/p>\n
After nearly a half century in power, the communist government in China is scouring the world for oil, natural gas, and minerals to keep its economic machine thriving. Its powerful trade deals are insufficient for solving the country\u2019s water problems. According to the New York Times, China\u2019s water usage has quintupled in the past 59 years, a statistic which leaves leaders and health organizations
\nwith tough political choices as cities, industries, and farming simultaneously compete for a finite and shrinking water supply.
\n
\nAccording to the Bank of China International and various government officials, over 400 cities and 13 provinces and regions, mostly in Northern China, face a water shortage problem. The issues of scarce and unsafe water are mounting so rapidly that they may cost China her sustained growth rate. The supply of water is inadequate to supply an astounding population of 1.3 billion, and as a result, water shortages are turning more and more Chinese farmland into desert. China is depleting water supplies
\nthrough industrial uses, consumer use, and pollution. Global warming is also blamed for a reduction in water resources.<\/p>\n
China\u2019s water crisis has placed enormous political pressure on the Communist party. The country\u2019s economic success, ensured by the party, is putting the country\u2019s health and lives at stake. The Communist party, leery of depending on imports to feed the country, has long insisted on grain self-sufficiency.<\/p>\n
In the North China Plain, where half of the country\u2019s wheat is produced, huge amounts of underground
\nwater are consumed. The nation is left without simple options; restricting farming to protect the region\u2019s aquifers would threaten the livelihoods of farmers and would cause an even greater spike in international grain prices.<\/p>\n
Municipal and industrial dumping have nevertheless contributed to the destruction of China\u2019s rivers, which were previously used to nourish agricultural growth. Water sources like the Yellow River are even drying up due to global warming\u2019s harmful effects.<\/p>\n
The Communist party is now faced with the urgent task of forcing the world\u2019s most powerful economy to conserve and protect water. The water crisis is so widespread, that grave water sanitation-related issues are reported frequently. The most recent issue is the nation\u2019s \u201cvirus-alert\u201d status whereby approximately 3,000 children have been infected by the deadly Enterovirus 71, found in contaminated water.<\/p>\n
Jim Yang, an 11th grader from Beijing, notes the prominence of China\u2019s water crises. According to Jim, it is an issue that is nearly impossible to ignore and has had an impact on the daily lives of everyone as they implement strict water conservation measures on a daily basis.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn China, the water\u2019s not that clean, and the price is rising fast,\u201d Jim said.<\/p>\n
The brutal realization of the impact of water resource shortage has been that of an obvious curtailment of sustainable economic and social development. As a result, China will embark on an ambitious plan to divert water from the south to the drought-ridden north. China\u2019s diversion project, the largest of its kind, was first suggested by former Chairman Mao Zedong 50 years ago and is only now beginning to take effect.<\/p>\n
This massive diversion scheme has already taken 50 years from conception to commencement and is expected to take almost as long again to construct. Planned for completion in 2050, it will eventually divert 44.8 billion cubic meters of water. Some 3,000 Chinese children have been infected by the deadly Enterovirus 71, found in contaminated water.<\/p>\n
However, the project, a costly $62 billion one, has been met with some skepticism among environmental organizations. While many agree that the project will provide a significant influx of water, they also say it will not be a cure-all.<\/p>\n
In spite of the expectations, it is unclear as to how much clean water the project will actually deliver. The question of water quality and public health also remain as pollution problems are already arising and may just as well infect the northern area.<\/p>\n
Cities and industry will be the beneficiaries of the new water, but the impact on farming is limited, seeing as little is being done to evenly distribute water for agricultural purposes. Thus, water deficits are expected to remain.<\/p>\n
Many scientists believe that, if not by the diversion project, huge gains can still be reaped by better efficiency and conservation
\nmethods. In north China, pilot projects are underway to reduce water loss from winter wheat crops. Some cities have raised the price of water to promote conservation, but it remains subsidized in most places, particularly for students and the urban poor. Already, some cities along the route of the transfer project are recoiling because of the planned higher prices.<\/p>\n
Another water proposal would also be a more drastic plan of urbanization. Scientists say converting farmland into urban areas would save enough water to adequately sustain a significantly greater amount of the population since widespread farming still uses more water than urban areas.
\nOf course, large-scale urbanization, already under way, could worsen air quality and thus the quality
\nof the newly supplied water.<\/p>\n
China\u2019s water shortage is hindering its development. The country\u2019s focus on fueling its leading
\neconomy comes first on its agenda. However, government and health officials struggle to draw up solutions to a crisis that may overtake the gains in economic development.<\/p>\n
Almost all of those in China, including Jim, are concerned with the future of their nation.
\nJim added, \u201cthe price is rising fast; and probably in ten years there\u2019s not going
\nto be any clean water left in Beijing. It\u2019s a big problem.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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