When it comes to climate change, China talks about reducing emissions but keeps building coal plants. So why are environmental groups so soft on China?
Western environmentalists are the Chinese Communists’ useful idiots
Western environmentalists are the useful idiots of the Chinese Communist Party, says a report from the Global Warming Policy Foundation.
The last straw and the pipeline
Governments have often made decisions based on impulse rather than reason. A classic example is the fallacy of “the last straw”. Legal expert Andrew Roman looks at pipeline-related issues and environmental decision-making.
China court to hear NGO lawsuit targeting polluter’s profits
A Chinese court has agreed to hear a lawsuit filed by an environmental NGO seeking $US4.8-million in damages from an industrial polluter in Shandong province — thought to be the first public interest litigation for air pollution under China’s new environmental law. ChinaFile reports.
‘Don’t aim at fame; just be a good, compassionate person’
The environmental awareness of Chinese people has changed dramatically in the 25 years since her path-breaking book, Yangtze! Yangtze! on the environmental and social effects of China’s Three Gorges Dam, was published. Now, renowned journalist, author, activist and Probe International Fellow and correspondent, Dai Qing, sits down with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) for a look back on her experiences as a veteran reporter and the lessons of value she has learned along the way.
Distorted economy dooms China to an “airpocalypse”
(March 4, 2014) With China’s economy operating under perverse incentives, China’s leaders, now assembled in Beijing, will be powerless to clean up its environment.
Omen on the Yangtze
(April 17, 2012) Twenty years ago this month, China’s epic Three Gorges Dam received construction approval from the Chinese government, with the blessing of a Canadian government report: both governments stood to benefit from the ill-conceived state vanity project at great cost to many. Probe International’s Patricia Adams looks back at how the symbol of China’s ‘rise’ has become an omen of all that is wrong with China and why a country like Canada would inflict such risks on citizens elsewhere.
Face changing sea

(June 29, 2011) Rongcheng is one of China’s loveliest cities, surrounded by both the Yellow and Bhai seas. When writer Yang Furui pays a visit, he finds economic gains have taken a severe toll on not only Rongcheng’s seashore, but China’s southeastern shoreline in general.
The truth about the Three Gorges dam
(May 24, 2011) It has only taken ninety years, but China’s leaders have finally admitted that the Three Gorges Dam is a disaster.
Burst of New Dams in Southwest China Produces Power and Public Ire
(March 22, 2011) Rachel Beitarie of Circle of Blue writes about the human costs of widespread megadam building in China.
Experts rail against dam projects: Vietnam News
(March 8, 2011) Vietnam News features statements from several experts on how the proposed damming of the Mekong River would destroy the region’s ecology, and harm tens of thousands of people.
Despite February snow, Beijing’s crippling drought continues
(March 2, 2011) Though much of the drought stricken areas in China have now received some precipitation, the North remains dangerously dry.
Hydropower projects speed up in Tibet
(February 28, 2011) Amanda Wu of China Tibet Online reports that Tibet is planning to spend $700 million on a new megadam project.
Chinese Environment Minister: Environmental degradation may cause economic ‘bottleneck’
(February 28, 2011) Reuters reports on an unusually frank essay by the Chinese environment minister on how environmental devastation could stunt economic development.
Brazilian court halts mega dam for violating environmental regulations
(February 26, 2011) Bloomberg reports that construction of the $11 billion Belo Monte dam in Brazil has been halted by a Federal court decision, citing violation of 29 separate environmental regulations.