Second National Report on Climate Change published by Beijing government reveals high risk of access to food and drinking water. The government talks about transparency and commitment, but the municipalities ignore these directives.

Beijing (AsiaNews) – Rampant pollution and subsequent climate change are likely to stop the march of Chinese economic growth: the devastation of arable land, reduced water capacity of rivers, deforestation, are all factors that threaten the possibility of Chinese remaining independent in their food supplies. The warning is contained in the second National Report on Climate Change published by the Beijing government.

According to the text China, the greatest emitter of pollutants, must find a new environmental policy if it wants to maintain its GDP growth at current rates: "The country faces bad weather and environmental conditions, and the impact of ongoing global warming puts the health of the population at risk as well as food production capabilities". The 710-page report was prepared at the end of 2011 but published only in recent days.

Despite these threats, the report continues, "the emission of carbon dioxide [the element produced by the combustion of polluting fossil fuel] will begin to decline only in 2030, to arrive within normal limits by the middle of the century." Food plantations are at risk, which could see their their production capacity reduced by 20%, and the water capacity: shrinkage and pollution of rivers could reduce access to safe drinking water by 30%.

However, the central government and provincial ones are struggling to make a firm decision on the matter. Despite the proclamations of Beijing - which is said to "committed" to the environment and "decided" to reduce emissions - the municipalities continue waver regarding local data on pollution. A national regulation for transparency on this data was approved in 2008, although it remains largely ignored.

• China
• pollution
• ecology
• economic
• crops