Saturday, January 19, 2008

Polluted Yangtze

Dry, polluted, plagued by rats: the crisis in China's greatest river
Jonathan Watts, The Guardian
The waters of the Yangtze have fallen to their lowest levels since 1866, disrupting drinking supplies, stranding ships and posing a threat to some of the world's most endangered species.

Asia's longest river is losing volume as a result of a prolonged dry spell, the state media warned yesterday, predicting hefty economic losses and a possible plague of rats on nearby farmland.

News of the drought - which is likely to worsen pollution in the river - comes amid dire reports about the impact of rapid economic growth on China's environment.
(17 January 2008)

via EB

No comments: