Environment.china.org.cn -- Ecological Updates and Cutting Edge Environmental Features

Features & Analyses

-	Snowy weather damages 18.6-mln-hectare forest

The extreme weather that hit China in recent weeks has damaged 18.6 million hectares of forest in 19 snow-afflicted provincial regions, according to the State Forestry Administration.

Heavy snowfalls　|　Government response　|　Weather forecast

-	People vs. chemical plant

Residents of Xiamen in Fujian Province never expected that "PX," an abbreviation for the word "paraxylene," would have become the hottest word on the tip of their tongues since 2007.

Political participation　|　Government response　|　Action plan

-	Plastic bags set to be banned

China launched a crackdown on plastic bags on January 8, banning production of ultra-thin bags and forbidding supermarkets and shops from handing out free carriers from June 1.

Recent poll　|　Green volunteers　|　Laws and regulations

-	Action Plan on Environment and Health (2007-2015)

The plan was drafted to further develop scientific proceeding of works concerning environment and people's health, and promote the sustainable development of economy and society.

11th Five-Year Plan　|　National program　|　Global attention

-	Przewalski's Horse Project short of funds

Fifty-five reintroduced Przewalski's horses are now roaming in Kalamely Mountain area, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region after people last saw the breed in the wild in 1966.

Tragedies　|　International support　|　Laws and regulations

-	Extinct animal graveyard in Beijing

Human activities have sped up the extinction of species by a thousand percent. Experts estimate that 37 percent of the animal species on the planet will disappear by the year of 2050.

Chinese crested terns　|　South China tigers 　|　Baiji dolphins

-	UN meets on climate change

The UN Climate Change Conference brought together representatives of over 180 countries and observers from various organizations.

National program　|　Development report　|　Climatic features

-	Chengdu to outlaw abuse of panda images

Saucy and suggestive commercial exploitation of giant panda images may become a thing of the past in Chengdu, the pandas' home city in Sichuan Province, if a planned law is passed.

20-year history　|　Panda facts　|　Panda pictures

-	South China Tiger: reality or legend?

South China Tiger was believed extinct in the wild for the past 20 years, but a digital picture recently taken by a farmer in Shaanxi Province supposedly shows the animal has survived.

Tiger spotted　|　Online debates　|　Laws & Regulations

-	Environmental NGOs encouraging green actions

In recent years, increasingly more green warriors and green NGOs have emerged in China, encouraging people to join in environmental protection and pollution reduction.

Interviews　|　Green volunteers　|　Tips for green consumption

-	Hydropower exploitation devastating SW China

Southwest China is witnessing an unprecedented boom in hydropower development. A large number of planned hydropower plants will be situated along the region's major rivers.

Water resources　|　Ecological threat　|　Government response

-	Glacier melting: Pandora's Box?

Glacier recession persists on the Tibetan Plateau at an alarming rate. The impending disappearance of Tibetan glaciers has far-reaching and catastrophic implications for the global environment and human life.

National program　|　Government response　|　Tibet plateau

1 2

Beijing	particulate matter	III2
Shanghai	particulate matter	III1
Guangzhou	nitrogen dioxide	III1
Chongqing	particulate matter	III1
Xi'an	particulate matter	II