Tree Hugging in the Far East

Energy Information Administration: China

People’s Daily Online

Energy Information Administration: India

The Hindu

Today’s topic is the environment, and as such, I have decided upon two countries with many parallels, India and China. Both countries retain huge land masses with an even larger population. India and China are two developing countries that have the potential for economic greatness. But along with this rapid, economic development, there comes a major drawback. Industrialization inevitably leads to environmental decay.

As I began my search for environmental enlightenment, I came upon the People’s Daily Online. When it comes to ecology and the environment, I can sum up this resource in a single word: useless. Articles regarding the environment are few and far between. The few articles I could scrounge up provided a view so biased that only the Chinese government could ever acknowledge it. On the other hand, there’s the Energy Information Administration. The EIA is a U.S governmental site that seeks public understanding regarding energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment. Using mostly statistical data, the site provides a much broader view of China’s environmental health. It gives very in-depth information regarding China, ranging from energy use and carbon emissions to China’s stance on renewable energy.

To begin my analysis of India, I would like to point out that as I was searching the People’s Daily Online, I found about two relevant articles. The Hindu, on the other hand, came up with an entire page’s worth, with 15,800 articles to follow. Unlike many other sites on the subject, The Hindu offers an abundance of information. Once again, the EIA was superb. It provided an honest, statistical analysis of India’s condition, but regarding this country I must say that The Hindu makes a much better resource. India, unlike China apparently, is quite aware of its environmental issues. The Hindu provides up to date articles regarding almost all aspects of the subject.

It seems strange that two countries with so many similarities take such opposing stances regarding the coverage of environmental issues. In my honest opinion, the first step to easing the environmental impact of industrialization lies within country itself. To stop this environmental decay, a country must be self-aware and its people must be held accountable for their actions.