Deserts threaten China
One of the most iconic images of China is the Great Wall, an emblem of national pride. However, what many worldwide are unfamiliar with is the “Great Green Wall” of China. This “wall,” formally called the Three North Shelterbelt Project, is a result of China’s attempt to repel the devastating effects of “desert creep.”
Greenpeace estimates that more than 25 percent of China is now covered by one of the several deserts that have now converged.
Desert creep is a phenomenon causing the desert to push deeper into western China. The problem is severe. Every year desert creep swells at a rate of nearly 3,400km2 in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region — comparable to the cities of Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles collectively being buried in sand every year.
At first, many scientists and policymakers believed that high-velocity winds coming off of the sand dunes produced desert creep in China. However, further research suggests that border dunes near arable land are not adversely affected by these winds, and overall desert creep as a result of them is marginal. While natural phenomenon such as climate change or dust storms may contribute to creep, these effects are negligible.
Leading research suggests that desertification is entirely a social issue. Decades of aggressive logging and government farming projects have left an estimated 2 percent of China’s original forests still standing. According to scientist Zhu Zhenda’s (朱震達) field observations, over-cultivation, overgrazing and fuel gathering contribute to “25.4, 28.3 and 31.8 percent respectively” of desertification, with urban and industrial development contributing 9 percent.
Government development along the desert, rather than ecological changes, is unsustainable due to the effect these destructive farming practices are having on China’s landscape.
China is no stranger to molding the environment to suit social needs. The devastating effects of land degradation along the desert borders began during the 1950s to 1970s, with satellites showing human related activities, such as overgrazing, attempts to cultivate the fragile steppes, and collection of fuel wood and medical herbs being the main causes for desert creep. The problem is compounded by the fact that populations at these desert edges are growing.
Beijing invested significant money to accelerate economic development along the borders in an attempt to control the Mongols and other ethnic groups by providing incentives for Han Chinese to move to the borders.
The necessity of natural resources found at the borders, rapid economic development and the growing population could potentially accelerate land degradation as more marginal land is being transformed into farmland.
As in many other spheres, Beijing neglects to acknowledge its own role in desertification. Academics identify social construction during the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution as convincing evidence of the government’s role in environmental destruction. Beijing points the finger at minorities living on the border, including the Mongol minority.
The Green Wall of China — a 70-year-long plan begun in 2001 — is likely an attempt that is too late to reverse the effects of 60 years of horrific land-use practices, as well as allowing for state control over the border areas (and people).
While it might be too late to recover significant portions of the land already lost, if China hopes to continue to feed its people, it must get serious about deforestation and desert creep. The Chinese have already shown the ability to harness tremendous amounts of people for three river rerouting projects. In the long-term, the Chinese must devote this strong workforce toward environmentally conscious projects.
Creating a sustainable farming system for 1.36 billion people will require stronger, more sustainable state action, or China will be looking overseas for help as its people sit down to empty bowls.
Tyler Grant
Virginia
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