China Pledges 1.35% of GDP for Environment
Beijing has pledged 1.35% (nice round number) of its GDP for the next three years to protect the environment.
The larger portion will go to treating water pollution – $85.33 billion.
Air pollution gets $80 billion.
Solid waste cleans up the rear with $28 billion.
China also hopes to cut its chemical oxygen demand in 2010 by 10% from 2005 levels.
By 2010, China also wants its big cities to enjoy at least 292 days of good air.
Not enough? In 2005, the average was just 69.4 days.
China's water pollution is the worst.
Some 26% of surface water cannot be used for any purpose. More than 60% is not suitable for fish. A whopping 90% of rivers running through cities are polluted.
Unfortunately, for now local governments favor economic growth more than environmental protection.
Hence, you can see billboards in the countryside "Give us your pollution."
Do you think China will ever be able to clean up its act?
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