Are you aware of the massive tree planting programs in places like Shanghai?>
I walked over large areas of the Pudong, and concession areas, and only saw old trees. They had some decent pocket parks with newer plantings, but clearly NOT a green environment in terms of what I saw. I reported on my blog, their long term plans in Shanghai, including treating 80% of wastewater by 2010. There was also an interesting green planned community out on that big nearby island. Great, but I say, what took so long? That's tons and tons of untreated water between now and then.
<Do you know about their advanced research programs on clean energy technology?>
Technology is not the only solution. Aggressive enforcement of environmental laws is what they need.
<Did you see any motorbikes in Beijing?>
Good question, and yes I did, plus lots of bikes. But I also saw the attitude of auto drivers toward bikes, scotters and pedestrians, like they owned the streets. Seemed like a typical attitude of the Chinese, little consideration as long as you are the asshole behind the wheel. Honestly, the whole "fat cat", I am the master and the man persona is the strongest there I've ever seen in any country in the world. I can only draw comparisons to the US, where if one hits a cycler in a bike lane or a pedestrian in a crosswalk, you are in deep doo doo. Also witnessed way too much unnecessary noise pollution and honking of horns, so nothing being enforced there either. I know I may sound culturally biased, but why is running over cyclers, and incessantly honking horns an OK thing? I can only say, that bikers must be an exceptionally brave breed there, as they sure aren't protected. 35,000 dead cyclists in China versus 800 in the US:
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