Development in a finite world

Tackling climate change can also mean fighting inequality – not only between nations, but also within a country’s borders. Yu Jie explains.

Land reclamation: tread carefully

Reclaiming land from the sea has become a popular way to develop coastal regions in China. But destroying wetlands and mangrove forests leaves populations vulnerable to the ravages of the rising seas, says Jiang

Gaoming

.

Energy leapfrogging in China and India

Two firms in the wind power sector illustrate how companies in the developing world can take advantage of increasing access to technological know-how, while staying within the bounds of intellectual property law, says Joanna Lewis.

The (impossible) American dream

For many in the developing world, it seems as if western countries have combined high-income lifestyles with a clean environment. But the truth is not so simple, writes Dale Wen, and it’s time for Chinese people to rethink their model of development.

The great green land grab

From Britain to Botswana, the Philippines to Patagonia, individuals and organisations are buying up vast areas of land in the name of protecting environments. But is private ownership the way to save them? John Vidal reports.

Understanding extreme weather in China

Heavy snowstorms this winter across China severely strained the country’s transportation and energy networks, but were they connected to global warming? The Pew Center explains how they fit with our changing climate.

Burning bright in Beijing

Saving energy and reducing emissions are not only good ideas, but also good business for two young companies in the Chinese capital. Feng Yongfeng reports.

Security alert for the planet

Climate change has been a source of violence and instability throughout most of human history. Now, says Carl Pope, the Tibetan Plateau is on the global warming frontline.

Lijiang’s war on “white pollution”

China has pledged to ban ultra-thin plastic bags from June.  Ke

finds that a town in Yunnan province struck its first blow against the bags five years ago, with impressive results.