May 9, 2014: New water crisis, China's bigger rice bowl, and more

Environmental Pollution and Health

Culture of secrecy behind China's pollution crisis, Chinadialogue

Powerful interest groups are holding back the transition to a more sustainable model by constraining the role of citizens

Now THAT'S a water cannon: Chinese city unveils mega spray that will squirt smog and pollution out of the sky, Dailymail

Smog and air pollution are lingering environmental problems in China.

Beijing’s DIY Clean Air Movement: If You Can’t Buy an Expensive Air Filter, Build One, Businessweek

On days when Beijing’s heavy air pollution is especially pungent, you can smell and taste the acridity—whether you’re outside on the street or inside most buildings. 

China fertile ground for green progress: report, Reuters

China's massive pollution problems have given rise to a new force of environmental campaigners, different politically from middle class activists in the West and potentially more effective in tackling climate change, new research finds.

China to cut capacity in polluting industries, Xinhuanet

Authorities across China should shut down production capacity in polluting industries, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said Thursday in a statement on its website.

What’s on Your Plates?

Climate justice, food justice, and diet are all intimately linked: Our food system is one of the largest contributors to climate change — a global transformation that will have the greatest negative impact in areas where people already struggle with food insecurity and where most of an estimated two billion more people will be added to the population by2050. 

Interview: Food industry plays key role in environmental protection: Italian expert, Xinhuanet

The food industry has a responsibility to get involved in environmental protection, an ecology expert told Xinhua during an international food fair that ended Thursday.

Grain, Poultry, Dairy and Food Security

A bigger rice bowl, Economist

A SEED of rice that could transform the developing world saved Asha Ram Pal’s farm in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in the summer of 2008.

Wheat vs. Rice: How China’s North-South Culinary Divide Shapes Personality， WSJ

In China, as in many countries, the north-south divide runs deep. People from the north are seen as hale and hearty, while southerners are often portrayed as cunning, cultured traders. Northerners are taller than southerners.

Water Crisis

Xinhua Insight: China faces another water pollution crisis, Xinhuanet

Another drinking water crisis emerged on Friday when abnormal water quality was detected in an east China city's Yangtze River water source.

China mulls amending water pollution law, Xinhuanet

China has included an amendment to the Law on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution in its future lawmaking plan, according to a senior legislative official.

Energy Problems and Management

China to close more steel capacity, though still small fraction, Reuters

China has raised its target to close outdatedsteel smelting capacity to 28.7 million tonnes in 2014, the industry ministry said on Thursday, as it tries to rein in inefficient and polluting industries.