Inside China 7: Environmental Timebomb?

Streaming video - 2015

The Chinese want the same life style as the West - but at what cost? The air and water are polluted, causing much suffering and protest - as well as a drought crisis. Chinese leaders talk of moving away from fossil fuels, but how much changes at local level? "THEY SILENCE OUR COMPLAINTS" The holiday resort of Hangzhou is supposed to be a model "green" city, but in the suburbs it's a story of toxic chemicals, corruption of local officials and suppression of protest. WATER CRISIS Over half of China's rivers and lakes are badly polluted, and the water table is falling. 300 million rural people lack access to safe drinking water. Ma Jun has created a website to shame the worst industrial polluters. RENEWABLES The e...xperimental city of Himin Solar Valley is held up as a great example of sustainability - but is it too little, too late? Key Topics Covered: China's air and water crisis Renewable energy in China China's industrial development more