Nature’s soil seedbanks

November 9, 2023 CEN_com 0

A research team of Chinese scientists is investigating the potential for natural soil seedbanks to help plant communities to resist the detrimental impact of environmental disturbance, including climate change. Unlike most other biological groups, plant species can possess dormant life-history stages such as the soil seed bank, which may help plants adapt to environmental changes. The scientists, six from Yangtze University, Hubei and one from Tianshui Normal University, Tianshui in China […]

China bolsters Environment Ministry

November 3, 2023 CEN_com 0

Photo: Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment, China. Reforms strengthen role of China’s Environment Ministry. China Dialogue reports that on 12 October, 2023 a notice was issued outlining changes to the responsibilities of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE). The central role of the MEE appears to have been strengthened with the Ministry of Science and Technology’s role in organising policies to promote ecological and environmental development through science and tech being […]

The East is red and green

October 21, 2023 CEN_com 0

In a recent review of Carlos Martinez’s book The East is Still Red – Chinese socialism in the 21st century, Stefania Fusero provides a detailed summary of the chapter on China’s environmental record (China is building an ecological civilisation), including a discussion of China’s trajectory on ecological issues, its commitment in the last two decades to renewable energy development, its record on afforestation, and its leadership in eco-friendly transport. Stefania also […]

Russia halts Japan seafood imports

October 17, 2023 CEN_com 0

Russia joins China and suspended all seafood imports from Japan. The ban is due to food contamination fears after the release of wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant. The Russian government on Monday (16 October 2023) introduced a temporary ban on imports of seafood from Japan, after Tokyo released treated radioactive water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea. In August, China – Japan’s biggest importer […]

China & Ramsar Wetlands Convention

October 13, 2023 CEN_com 0

In November 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke at the Opening Ceremony of the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. He spoke of the historic achievements made in wetlands conservation in China.“We have increased the area of wetlands to 56.35 million hectares, put in place a protection system, and enacted a Wetlands Conservation Law. Wetlands have become an integral part of […]

China drought cuts hydro output

October 12, 2023 CEN_com 0

In major news for China’s electricity system and emissions – and for the world, on 17 July, China’s National Bureau of Statistics announced that despite overall electricity generation growing 3.8% year-on-year, hydropower output fell by nearly 23% in the first half of 2023 – the largest drop among all electricity sources. Hydro is China’s largest source of renewable power, accounting for 15% of electricity in 2022. The scale of the […]

What are biodiversity offsets ?

October 1, 2023 CEN_com 0

What are biodiversity offsets? In recent years, biodiversity offsets and credits have been promoted as one of the key ways to finance nature conservation and support global biodiversity goals.Put simply, “biodiversity offsetting” is a system for placing a value on a habitat, plant or animal, meaning the “credit” or “unit” can be bought or sold to “offset” damage being done, thereby creating a financial incentive to conserve natural assets elsewhere. […]

Coconut blankets restore grassland

September 13, 2023 CEN_com 0

Blankets made from coconut shells are being used for grassland restoration in South West China’s Sichuan. Grass is successfully sprouting from the ground surface covered by blankets made from coconut shells at the area of the abandoned mines in Ruoergai County of Aba Prefecture, where bedrocks were exposed before. These blankets made from coconut shells have compact structure and strong corrosion resistance. They can effectively inhibit soil erosion, and have […]

Abundant harvest of giant rice

September 11, 2023 CEN_com 0

The abundant harvest of giant rice in Guanxi region could play a key role in ensuring China’s food security. Chinese scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding the genetics of rice breeding that could lead to a healthier, higher-yield hybrid variety of the grain. Japonica and Indica rice are two widely grown varieties in China, each with distinct characteristics and geographical distributions. Hybrids of these two types are stronger and more […]

China protects the environment

September 7, 2023 CEN_com 0

Looking for news and analysis on China and the Environment, China’s Ecological Civilization, the Belt & Road Initiative, and BRICS geopolitics? Visit China Environment Net on the web https://china-environment-net.com/wp