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International meteorological experts and government representatives
from nearly 130 countries began a four-day conference Wednesday
in Shanghai to discuss changes in the global climate.
By 2100, the average global surface temperature will have risen
by between 1.5 and 6 degrees centigrade, and the average sea level
will have risen by 0.14-0.84 meters, said Wang Bangzhong, director
of the Division of Climate with the China Meteorological Administration,
one of eight Chinese experts present at the session. Both of these
trends threaten the whole world.
Since the mid 19th century, when the Western world saw the industrial
revolution, the average temperature has increased by about 0.6 degrees
centigrade.
Satellite data shows there is less snow and ice covering the world
now. As a result, agriculture, water resources and the ecological
system have been disturbed.
Snow and ice are important fresh water resources, the lifeline of
agriculture. Global warming causes more evaporation than precipitation
leading to a shortage of fresh water. This hinders the growth of
the national economy, as agriculture is affected, and many modern
industrial cities are along the coast.
"Coastal cities have to think more about their future as parts
of them could end up being under the sea," Wang said.
To try to get the situation under control, several countries have
agreed to work together. Developed countries such as the United
States are to shoulder a larger share of responsibility. For example,
they are being urged to reduce their emission of greenhouse gases
and aerosols by another 5.2 percent between 2008 to 2012.
China, as a developing country which still has 30 million people
living in poverty, willingly made its own well-known environmentally
friendly contribution to the rest of the world.
"The family planning policy reduces population growth and consumption,
so lowers pollution," said Sun Cuihua from the State Development
Planning Commission. Now, the emission of greenhouse gases is just
one 11th of that of the United States.
China has also adjusted its energy structure. Coal accounted for
more than 75 percent of the energy used in the 80s but went down
to 69 percent last year.
The government also attaches great importance to exploring new and
cleaner energy, such as hydraulic power and nuclear power.
While protecting existing greenland and plants, more trees and grass
will be planted to increase the current coverage of 16 percent
of the national land area.
"The Chinese Government will draw enlightening ideas from the
proposals like any other country," Sun said.
(China Daily 01/18/01)
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