A battle that must be won

To more effectively mitigate the pressures on the environment, the government should push for adjustments in the country's industrial structure and fundamentally change the traditional economy-prioritized development model to promote environmental protection in the process of national economic development. This requires legislation on environmental protection be strengthened and the enforcement of relevant laws and regulations be tightened. The experiences of developed countries show that an effective legal framework for environmental protection is essential for success.

Aside from the government's role, the media should further play its role in informing the public and monitoring public opinion and try to encourage an exchange of public opinions on environmental issues throughout the whole society. To achieve comprehensive and lasting effects in its attempts to curb environmental pollution and the wasting of resources, people's awareness of their responsibilities as individuals must be raised.

The media should also play its supervisory role to the full and the timely dissemination of information on environmental problems will promote transparency. This will put pressure on the polluters and those abusing their power and prompt governments at various levels to increase their environmental treatment efforts and improve efficiency.

On the one hand, China is now taking every measure available to resolve its environmental problems. But on the other hand, it also lies in the crucial stage of a large-scale urbanization construction, which will unavoidably put its fragile environment to the test. The country should face up to the enormous challenge its economic and social development poses to the environment and pursue a more sustainable development path.

The author is deputy dean of the National Academy of Development and Strategy, Renmin University of China.

(China Daily 02/27/2014 page8)