After reading the article on China’s environmental tipping point, I was pleased, intrigued, yet still worried about China’s environmental future.
I applaud Ma Jun and other environmentalists for bringing awareness to China's environmental crisis through new laws, documentaries and apps. However, as China has grown economically, more people in China see the immediate benefits of becoming financially stable/prosperous and turn a blind eye to the side effect of China’s economic growth—environmental depletion. And, as the article states, “When you have a situation where the laws are there but the enforcement is not quite there, then you’re basically rewarding those who cut corners and hurting those who try to be responsible.”
So, it’s great that people are starting to notice and fight on behalf of the environment but, I’m curious to see if and how people will give up their greed towards money to help save the environment. After all, what is the point in being wealthy if there is no safe place to live?
[Clearly this isn’t a China only issue, but I’m curious to see how this movement and the Blue Map app will impact China and its citizens.]
