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X. Zheng
the upper and lower reaches. In addition, clean-up of black, malodorous water bodies
should be a focal point and be completed as scheduled.
(3) Properly handle waste and turn waste into resources
In China, most of household waste is dumped in landfill sites. There are currently
more than 6000 compliant landfill sites and 10,000 noncompliant ones across the
country, which occupy a mass of land and pose safety risks. The annual amount of
construction waste is 5 billion tons in addition to over 20 million tons of existing
construction waste, which takes up more than 2 million mu (1333.33 km
2 ) of land.
The amount of solid waste such as industrial waste, concrete slugs, coal gangue,
tailings, and desulfurized gypsum is also whopping. Household waste and construction waste can both be converted into valuable resources after proper classification
and treatment. In some European cities, waste treatment plants are beautifully situated in the city proper and serve as a venue of environmental education for young
people. There are already specialized enterprises in China which dig out buried waste
for decontamination. Local governments should take classification and disposal of
waste, including rural waste, as an important task and incorporate it in their 14th
Five-Year Plan.
(4) Address nonpoint source pollution of land and produce organic food
Because of excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, nonpoint source
pollution of land is serious in China. To deal with the problems requires collaboration
between agricultural departments and environmental protection departments as well
as concerted efforts of the whole country. We must press ahead with the daunting
task since it concerns the health of not only our own but also later generations.
X. Zheng
the upper and lower reaches. In addition, clean-up of black, malodorous water bodies
should be a focal point and be completed as scheduled.
(3) Properly handle waste and turn waste into resources
In China, most of household waste is dumped in landfill sites. There are currently
more than 6000 compliant landfill sites and 10,000 noncompliant ones across the
country, which occupy a mass of land and pose safety risks. The annual amount of
construction waste is 5 billion tons in addition to over 20 million tons of existing
construction waste, which takes up more than 2 million mu (1333.33 km
2 ) of land.
The amount of solid waste such as industrial waste, concrete slugs, coal gangue,
tailings, and desulfurized gypsum is also whopping. Household waste and construction waste can both be converted into valuable resources after proper classification
and treatment. In some European cities, waste treatment plants are beautifully situated in the city proper and serve as a venue of environmental education for young
people. There are already specialized enterprises in China which dig out buried waste
for decontamination. Local governments should take classification and disposal of
waste, including rural waste, as an important task and incorporate it in their 14th
Five-Year Plan.
(4) Address nonpoint source pollution of land and produce organic food
Because of excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, nonpoint source
pollution of land is serious in China. To deal with the problems requires collaboration
between agricultural departments and environmental protection departments as well
as concerted efforts of the whole country. We must press ahead with the daunting
task since it concerns the health of not only our own but also later generations.