China's Past, China's Future: Energy, Food, Environment by Vaclav Smil (English)

Description: China's Past, China's Future by Vaclav Smil This volume examines Chinas energy resources, their uses, impacts and prospects, from the 1970s oil crisis to the present day, before analysing the key question of how China can best produce enough food to feed its population of 1.3 billion. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description China has a population of 1.3 billion people which puts strain on her natural resources. This volume, by one of the leading scholars on the earths biosphere, is the result of a lifetime of study on China, and provides the fullest account yet of the environmental challenges that China faces. The author examines Chinas energy resources, their uses, impacts and prospects, from the 1970s oil-crisis to the present day, before analysing the key question of how China can best produce enough food to feed its enormous population. In answering this question the entire food chain - the environmental setting, post harvest losses, food processing, access to food and actual nutritional requirements - is examined, as well as the most effective methods of agricultural management. The final chapters focus upon the dramatic cost to the countrys environment caused by Chinas rapid industrialization.Widespread environmental problems discussed include: Water and air pollution Water shortage Soil erosion Deforestation Desertification Loss of biodiversity In conclusion, Smil argues that the decline of the Chinese ecosystem and environmental pollution has cost China about ten per cent of her annual GDP. This book provides the best available synthesis on the environmental consequences of Chinas economic reform program and will prove essential reading to scholars with an interest in China and the environment. Back Cover China has a population of 1.3 billion people which puts strain on her natural resources. This volume, by one of the leading scholars on the earths biosphere, is the result of a lifetime of study, and provides the fullest account yet of the environmental challenges that China faces. the author examines Chinas energy resources, their uses, impacts and prospects, from the 1970s oil crisis to the present day, before analysing the key question of how China can best produce enough food to feed its enormous population. Author Biography Vaclav Smil is Distinguished Professor in the Department of Geography, University of Manitoba, Canada. He is widely recognized as one of the worlds leading authorities on the biosphere and Chinas environment. He is the author of many books including The Earths Biosphere, Enriching the Earth, Feeding the World and Chinas Environment. Table of Contents 1. Chinas Biophysical Foundations 2. Energy 3. Food 4. Environment 5. Looking Ahead by Looking Back Review Chinas expanding population aond huge developmental needs have put enormous demands on the environment. This is one of the most factual and comprehensive discussions on those environmental pressures currently available. - China InformationThis comprehensive and highly informative volume reflects upon the authors past scholarship in light of new developments and future trends. - The China JournalThe strength of the book lies in its balanced perspective, devoid of ideologically driven assumptions. - The China JournalThe book is a highly valuable resource for acquiring a detailed understanding of the complex relationships between energy, food, and the environment in contemporary China. - The China JournalThis is an excellent book that summarises many of the arguements and research that has stimulated Professor Smils work. It provides a particularly useful summary of some of the main trends in Chinas food, energy and environmental use and, as such, should appeal not only to Sinologists but also to non-specialists and those wanting an overview of Chinas recent and current environment and society.- James Beattie, University of OtagoChinas expanding population aond huge developmental needs have put enormous demands on the environment. This is one of the most factual and comprehensive discussions on those environmental pressures currently available. - China InformationThis is an excellent book that summarises many of the arguements and research that has stimulated Professor Smils work. It provides a particularly useful summary of some of the main trends in Chinas food, energy and environmental use and, as such, should appeal not only to Sinologists but also to non-specialists and those wanting an overview of Chinas recent and current environment and society.- James Beattie, University of Otago Review Quote Few scholars are as well qualified as Vaclav Smil to analyze the complex interrelationships between food, energy, and the environment in contemporary China. Eschewing easy generalizations and fashionable fads, Smil burrows beneath the avalanche of superficial statistics to present a sophisticated interdisciplinary study of the uses (and abuses) of material resources in post-Mao China. His key finding -- that there are countervailing forces at work within virtually every sector of the Chinese ecosystem -- provides a timely antidote to conventional predictions of either impending environmental doom or unlimited developmental boom. This is a sober, sensible, and ultimately indispensable guide to Chinas ecological problems and prospects. - Richard Baum, Director, UCLA Center for Chinese Studies, and author of Burying Mao: Chinese Politics in the Age of Deng Xiaoping In his prolific writings over the past 35 years, Vaclav Smil has made unique contributions to the study of modern China by forcefully reminding us of the physical conditions under which Chinese society evolves and develops. Chinas Past Chinas Future is vintage Smil - new data, innovative interpretations, and the kinds of interdisciplinary analyses which compels attention to that special realm where societys social constructions meets natures material realities. Smil writes lucidly on why biophysical foundations have such a bearing on Chinas history and twenty-first century trajectory. - Richard P. Suttmeier, University of Oregon Details ISBN0415314992 Author Vaclav Smil Short Title CHINAS PAST CHINAS FUTURE Language English ISBN-10 0415314992 ISBN-13 9780415314992 Media Book Format Paperback Year 2003 Imprint Routledge Place of Publication London Country of Publication United Kingdom Edition 1st Residence -CN Birth 1943 Subtitle Energy, Food, Environment DOI 10.1604/9780415314992 UK Release Date 2003-11-06 AU Release Date 2003-11-06 NZ Release Date 2003-11-06 Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd Series Asias Transformations/Critical Asian Scholarship Publication Date 2003-11-06 Alternative 9780415314985 DEWEY 951 Illustrations 5 Tables, black and white Audience Undergraduate Pages 248 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:134416355;

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