Green China, as well as this particular work, developed from a recognition that China was tackling a wide range of serious environmental problems within the context of her rapid industrialization, urbanization, transition to a market-oriented economy and growing consumerism that would inevitably have great impact not only on the lives of its own vast population, but also for those inhabiting neighboring countries and even the world at large.The problems have been well documented in the Western media, but the solutions being tried have perhaps not been so well publicized, and this book is an attempt to redress the balance.

Instead of lack of respect for Nature, enhanced environmental education ensures that there is resurgence in respect for the power and beauty of China's environment.There is a renewed quest for exemplars, of models of good practice in human/environment interaction, a quest that has several dimensions. And so, one dimension of such a quest is the historical one, seeking examples of ecological harmony in past practice. A cheerful future is one in which the ills of deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, air pollution and the like are effectively tackled via a concerted effort across the country. Officials and cadres provide a key leadership role, but there is realization that local people must have a major rote in combating environmental destruction.Participation and involvement will be crucial. It is likely that the energies and drive of young people will have to be mobilized, as it has been for a number of environmental campaigns such as those concerned with forestation. But all those involved will need to ensure that there is not a false concern to meet arbitrary short-term targets, but instead a genuine desire to improve the local, regional and national environment via long term efforts. This will not be a 'quick fix'; instead it will be an arduous and hard road, but one in which people gain from a sense of working hard together towards a better future.