China's Environment

Great article from the Economist.

Don't drink the water and don't breathe the air - And don't expect the government's environmental watchdog to do much about itJan 24th 2008

Key Points:

1. Environmental agency in China is underfunded and it's competitors for agriculture and industry are much more powerful. So wonderful sounding regulations are enacted (sounds great!), but actual implementation is poor.
2. Deputy director is Pan Yue, an outspoken green campaigner who is a son-in-law of a famous former general, Liu Huaqing. Shows importance of political/family connections in China. In this case it's a good thing.
3. Local environmental agencies are usually focusing on the same goals of local governments (grow the economy at any cost).
4. Environmental damage in 2004 may have lowered GDP by 3.05%.
   
5. Picture above of Tiananmen Square shows extent of pollution. For the 2008 Olympics to show China at it's best, factories are to be closed in Beijing.
   

Environmentalism and Children

Great on Children influencing parents on the Environment!

Inconvenient Youths

'Mom, we gotta buy a hybrid!' Kids are becoming the green movement's stealth weapon, pressuring their parents on everything from lightbulbs to composting. Inside the push to create the littlest eco-warriors.

By ELLEN GAMERMAN
September 29, 2007; Page W1

Jim and Robyn Dahlin knew replacing the roof of their home in Greenbrae, Calif., would be expensive. But they hadn't planned to spend an extra $15,000 on solar panels. For that, they have their 8-year-old son, Luke, to thank.

Direct Link or through Google News for Inconvenient Youths the rest of the article Youths. Schools have a huge impact on children and being green is part often part of the curriculum.